By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Former Minister of Information and one of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prof Jerry Gana has harped on the need for the party to pick its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election from the southern part of the country.
Such a strategy, Prof Gana argued, will not only ensure victory for the party at the polls, but promote justice, fairness and equity.
The former Information Minister spoke on Wednesday at the consultative conference of founding fathers and stakeholders of the PDP held in Abuja.
According to Prof Gana: “In tune with this patriotic wisdom of the founding fathers, we urge all our leaders to support the strategy of bringing out our Presidential Candidate for 2027 from the Southern States
“Such a strategy will not only ensure victory at the polls, but promote justice, fairness and equity.
“We appeal to all our leaders to agree at the NEC (National Executive Committee) meeting on Thursday, (tomorrow) to convene the National Convention of our great Party, so that we can elect a fresh set of Party Officers, for the next four years.
“We must also ensure a transparent and credible National Convention that will set a gold standard for internal party democracy.
“The convention must be transparent, accountable and reflective of our democratic ideals.
“No more backroom deals or impositions. “Delegates should freely elect a new National Working Committee (NWC); men and women of proven integrity, competence, and unwavering loyalty to the ideals of PDP.
“The niew NWC should be the engine room of our rebuilding, repositioning and resurgence of the PDP.
“We must also develop a new focus on empowering the next generation. We reaffirm our commitment to youth inclusion and generational equity, which is very crucial.
“The PDP must deliberately open the space for younger Nigerians; brilliant, energetic and innovative minds should be allowed to participate actively as leaders within our party structures and as candidates at all levels in the 2027 general elections.
“Their ideas, energy and digital fluency are essential for building the Nigeria we all deserve.
“Our 2027 electoral strategy must elevate young leaders with fresh ideas and proven commitment.
“We should deliberately mainstream youth and women into our party’s core leadership structure, ensuring that their voices are heard and their contributions are highly valued”, he said.
Going down the memory lane, the former Minister of Information recalled that in forming the PDP in 1998, the founding fathers were profoundly guided by timeless principles, deep rooted values, and fundamental objectives.
He stressed further that the key objective of forming the party was not merely to capture political power, but the founding fathers were greatly motivated by the desire to build a qualitatively, better society in Nigeria, based on the principles of democracy, human rights, freedom, and social justice among others.
Among those in attendance at the conference were; former Governor of Kaduna State and Secretary, Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, members of the National Working Committee, National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Youth Leaders, Muhammed Sulieman, National Woman Leader, Amina Bryhm, National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, National Organizing Secretary, Umar Bature, National Vice Chairman (South East), Ali Odefa, National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba
Others include; former Governor of Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, former Governor of Niger, Babangida Aliyu, former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, former Minister of Special Duties, Aminu Turaki, Chief Olabode George, former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Labaran Maku, Senator Yakubu Lado, Director General PDP Governors Forum, Emmanuel Agbo, former PDP National Chairman, Abubakar Baraje and former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Maryam Ciroma among others.
