…Warns that nation’s democracy may die if PDP goes under
…Task President to urgently address situation
…As party gets new BoT Chair, Secretary
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately address the issues of corruption in his administration, worsening insecurity in the country, continuous fall in the value of the Naira, high fuel price, unbearable food scarcity and unemployment in the country.
Rising from its 76th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting in Abuja, which was attended by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, National Working Committee members, several past Governors, Senators and other party big chieftains, the, the leading opposition party categorically told the President that the situation in the country has “become unbearable”.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting and read by its Chairman and former Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara declared that despite the challenges in the country, the PDP remains united, stronger and more determined in its commitment to working for the wellbeing of Nigerians and defending their interest at all times.
According to the communique, “The BoT calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to know that the situation in the country has become unbearable.
“Mr. President should immediately address the issues of corruption in his administration, worsening insecurity in the country, continuous fall in the value of the Naira, high fuel price, unbearable food scarcity and unemployment in the country.
“The BoT reassures the Nigerian public that despite the challenges, the PDP remains united, stronger and more determined in its commitment to working for the wellbeing of Nigerians and defending their interest at all times.
“In this regard, the BoT as the Conscience of the Party, charges all Organs, leaders, critical stakeholders and member of the PDP across the
country to remain united and focused as the Party further repositions for the task ahead.
“In the bid to further strengthen itself, the BoT has confirmed His Excellency, Senator Adolphus Wabara as its Chairman and His Excellency, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi as Secretary in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
The BoT Chairman of the PDP had earlier, in his opening remarks at start of the meeting sounded a note of warning that the nation’s democracy may die if the leading opposition party is allowed to go under.
Senator Wabara sounded the warning at the 76th meeting of the a trustees in Abuja.
The BoT Chairman pointed out that there are plans to turn the country into a one-party state, stressing however that the PDP will not allow such to happen.
According to him, “If PDP goes under, definitely democracy will go under in Nigeria.
“We know that there are plans to turn this country into a one-party state but that will be only when we allow it.
“So we must fight for democracy in Nigeria and it is only the PDP that can do that.
“Nobody owns this party but other parties are owned. Here, we follow due process democratically”, he said.
Speaking at the meeting, Governor Bala Mohammed said, “We need it to be strategic so that this country does not become a one party state and that we needed to make sure that all of us came out victorious.
“The governors have also asked me to tell you that we are hoping to make sure that we reposition the party and reduce and minimize rancor and division, which had characterized us in the past, because of our size and our divergent interests. Certainly we don’t have the luxury of doing that.
“The country is suffering. There is a lot of hunger and anger, for the third time the country is looking up to us, we cannot continue to be the weeping boys or girls or women.
“We must close rank, give benefit of doubts to each other, give benefit of doubt to the party and that’s why we give them the vote of confidence in spite of anything”, he said.
In his opening remarks, the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum stated that now that all 2023 election petitions are resolved, there is no better time to begin rebuilding the party than now.
According to Damagum, “You are all aware of the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election. We have initiated the process of selecting a candidate for that election. Despite challenges, we remain focused, and with the grace of God, we will retain Edo.
“We also urge all members to pay attention to Edo and individually promote the PDP. It is crucial to ensure that we have a united party in Edo to retain the governorship seat. Therefore, all hands must be on deck.
“I also want to remind our BoT members that the task of rebuilding this party extends beyond the NWC.
“We are all stakeholders, and wherever you find yourself, you don’t have to wait for the NWC to speak up to protect the party; it is a collective responsibility.
Finally, I want to reiterate our commitment to this party”, Damagum said.
Among those in attendance at the 76th BoT meeting of PDP, were; Amb Ilya Damagum, Ambassador Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman (South), Alhaji Sule Lamido, Hon.Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Usman Nafada, former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives.
Others included; Senator Stella Omu, Barrister Josephine Anenih, former Governors Achike Udenwa (Imo State), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Senator Ahmed Maikarfi (Kauna, who is now the new Secretary of the BoT), Senator Ben Obi,
former Governor Donald Duke (Cross River) and Hajia Ina Chiroma.
The rest were; Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo (former National Chairman of PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Governor Ibrahim Idris (Kogi), Alhaji Tanimu Kabiru Turaki, Chief Achike Udenwa, Prince Olagunsoye Oyonlola, (former Osun Governor), Senator Liyel Imhoke (former Governor of Cross River), Senator Umar Tsauri, former PDP National Secretary) and Mrs Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State.
