Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, called for return of the party members to the original ideological principles and morality, the bigger picture that formed the basis for its emergence in 1998, saying that its doors are still open to defecting members
The party recently witnessed the defection of Governors of Delta and Akwa Ibom to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), with fears that more may leave the party.
Also former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a founding father of the party and the 2023 presidential candidate, led a faction of the party that joined a coalition that moved into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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Speaking at the Consultative Conference of Founding Fathers and Stakeholders, at the NAF Conference center, Abuja, the party stakeholders, also counseled its members not to “lose sight of the bigger picture”, adding that the “ People’s Democratic Party was never conceived as a mere vehicle for political ambition; it was born out of a national crisis of conscience, to promote democracy.
“The PDP emerged to offer the nation a credible alternative rooted in principle, moral and ideological clarity, and broad-based national consensus. And indeed, at that critical moment in our history, the PDP rescued Nigeria from a bleak fate”.
Illiya Damagum, Acting National Chairman of the party, in his welcome remarks,;recalled that the party was “born out of necessity to dismantle authoritarianism and restore democratic governance.
“Since our historic founding in August 1998, the PDP’s journey has been marked by triumphs and trials. Like any living institution, we have faced internal rifts, betrayals, and moments of national disappointments”
Damagum also recalled how in 2013, the party witnessed one of the biggest fractures that shook it to its foundations,
“A group of party leaders walked away from our party, seeking new alliances. Today, we witness yet another. But history reminds us that splinters may form, but they do not define the tree. Movements built on political expediency, collapse when confronted by lasting values”
The PDP acting Chairman who paid tributes to the memory of the G-34 founding fathers, including late Alex Ekwueme, Adamu Ciroma, Abubakar Rimi, Solomon Lar, TY Danjuma, Jerry Gina, amongst others, noted that the gathering was a symbolic reaffirmation that the People’s Democratic Party is alive, resolute, and focused on reclaiming its rightful place at the centre of Nigeria’s political life.
“Today, again, Nigeria is in dire need of direction. Our democratic values are under strain, the cost of living crushes our people, the younger generation is losing faith in leadership and the economy continues to suffer in depressing stagnancy. In this moment, as in times past, the PDP must rise as a vessel of real hope and a voice of reason”
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, pleaded with members to ensure “ that the party stands”
“ We want to assure Nigerians and indeed our founding fathers who convened this forum, that the governors are working with the National Assembly, the caucuses of the National Assembly, and the National Working Committee to ensure that we stand on our own — to keep those flags flying of the PDP — the umbrella covering the people. And we are guided by the guiding principles of what our erudite leader has said here today: why PDP was formed and where it is going — by creating good governance in our states”
Mohammed announced that the party has restored Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary, based on the requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
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“Yes, we have issues, but today, you see we are together. The National Secretary has assumed his position because we are guided by the rule of law. You even have to go to INEC to find out the position of the regulator. You don’t fight your regulator. And that’s why we are here — creating harmony and reconciliation.
“ As governors, we are working behind the Working Committee. They have even agreed to go, if their presence is a problem. I want to tell you, they have agreed to go. I don’t care anyone — what can be more sacrificial than that?”
Speaking on defections from the party, Mohammed noted that while they will continue to respect rights of others, the party will not take “ indiscipline to a level where it becomes contagious. If you are in PDP, you are in PDP. You cannot be in PDP and be in coalition with another party. We cannot do this. But you have all the time to decide. Coalition is an aberration — yes, I said it.
You cannot belong to two places. You cannot be an aphrodite. You cannot be a man and a woman at the same time. Be who you will be. But we will still give you the opportunity to have a thought, because you are our leaders.
“ But if you are going, don’t de-market us. De-marketing of the PDP is not fair. Most of you actualized your political aspirations through this party. Some of them left us and caused our loss in 2015, and yet we accommodated them. And they left and came back. Some of them became governors, and some of them took tickets, It is only in PDP you get that.
“But sadly, we still respect them. But they should respect us too. We are not afraid of anybody in politics”.
