Nigeria: PDP Chairmanship - Secondus Coasts declare WINNER

The outgoing interim national chairman of the PDP, Sen Ahmed Makarfi, appealed to the incoming leadership of the party to ensure that PDP's doors remain wide open for both returnees and new members.

Makarfi, who stressed that vibrant, decent and patriotic opposition was required to develop and mature Nigeria democracy, also knocked the APC-led federal government for failing to meet the yearnings of Nigeria.

Speaking on the need for opening doors to new members, he said this was imperative to ensure that they were not disadvantaged in any way, "just as it is also imperative that the loyalty, sacrifices, commitment and dedication of those who stuck with the party through thick and thin were not denigrated in any way.

"A level playing field must be availed all members so that we avoid a situation in which we create many other problems while trying to solve one.

"In words and actions, we must continuously assure and reassure members that loyalty to the party does, indeed pay and is rewarded. It is not out of place for me to advise the incoming leadership to focus, among others, on evolving ways that would facilitate greater involvement of women and youths in both politics and governance," he said.

Makarfi said that inspite of all the challenges encountered by his committee, they were able to record some achievements.

Some of the challenges according to him include litigation and inadequate finance as all but one of the bank accounts inherited by the committee was garnisheed by various court judgements.

He said "The only bank account we have had access to these past 18 months is one that had less than two million naira."

He said that in spite of all constraints, the committee was able to lay a good foundation for the re-positioning of the PDP, turning it into the beautiful bride coveted by all discerning politicians.

New chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday declared that the party’s return to power in 2019 is herculean but achievable.

He also assured that he will ensure internal democracy is enthroned in the party.

Secondus stated this in his acceptance speech tagged ‘Rebuilding to Regain’, after he emerged national chairman of the PDP.

Protests had trailed Secondus’ victory as two aspirants, former minister of Education, Prof Tunde Adeniran and media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi, rejected the outcome of the contest.

Before then however, former deputy national chairman, Chief Bode George; former Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former governorship Candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje; and Olusegun Aderemi, had withdrawn from the race for different reasons.

But Secondus, while making his acceptance speech, extended his hand of fellowship to other chairmanship aspirants, urging them to join hands with him to rebuild the party.

He said “I stand before you this day, humbled by the mandate you just given to my colleagues and I to lead this great party at this time in Nigeria’s political history. We wholeheartedly accept it with extreme gratitude.
“Eighteen years ago specifically February 14, 1999, this party made history with its first ever national convention in Jos, Plateau State and since then, has grown to become undisputedly, the largest political party on the African continent.

“I recall that before that, precisely on the 19th of August, 1998, our founding fathers gathered here in Abuja to give birth to this party whose aims and objectives were patriotic, with lofty and visionary dreams.

“By my understanding, the mandate you have given us today is clear and unambiguous. It is to return our party to power come 2019. As Herculean as this mandate seems, I know it’s achievable. My campaign pillars for this election are ‘To Rebuild, Reposition and Regain’. Let me assure you great members and leaders of our party, that by the grace of God and with all hands on deck, the brief tenancy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Aso Rock Villa expires on May 28, 2019. By this, we serve them a quit notice.

“This has to be immediate, in order to save our beloved country from disintegration. We are all witnesses to how the unity of this country has been shaken to its very foundation under the watch of the rudderless and clueless APC. We therefore have a gigantic task of retrieving this country from APC’s clear lack of direction and confusion starting with the Presidency.”

He said it has become crystal clear to all Nigerians, that APC is not a political party, but a body hurriedly assembled to seize power without a clear cut plan for governance.

He however noted that PDP was founded on ideals which are totally in tandem with those of the founding fathers of this great country.

“Those founding fathers had in mind, a prosperous and lasting democracy as captured in the preamble of our constitution clearly stating their desire for a free and egalitarian society. Even in our perceived failure of 2015, we chose to to abide by our strong faith in democracy, willingly conceding power to opposition, thereby elevating the democratic status of Nigeria. We are the true democrats!

“I can therefore say without an iota of doubt, that PDP’s contributions to the growth and sustenance of democracy in this country in the last 18 years remain unequalled. The best way to celebrate the memories of these founding fathers, is to ensure that the ideals are continuously engaged.

“With your mandate I assure you, that all necessary steps will be taken to avoid a repeat of our past mistakes. Indeed we have learnt our lessons and by this convention, we are now set to forge a new path for our great party and Nigeria. Under my watch, Internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to return ‘real’ power to the people.

“No more imposition, no more impunity. Every member of this party can from this moment, consider him or herself, an equal shareholder in our common destiny. I call on all Nigerians, of all creed and class, to embrace this new PDP and join in this quest for a new Nigeria. Particularly, I reach out to our old members who for one reason or the other have left the party, to please come back ‘home’.

“I cannot end this address without acknowledging my co-contestants especially for the chairmanship position. Truth be told, any one of you is eminently qualified to lead this party. I thank you for a worthy contest and being part of history as this marks the first time such a highly competitive contest to produce the leadership of a political party has been held in Nigeria. You have every cause to stand tall and I now extend my hand of fellowship to you all. Let ‘US’ Rebuild, Reposition & Regain.”

He however hailed the outgoing National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Ahmed Markafi, noting that “they will forever remember your courageous leadership in our most trying times. History will no doubt, be kind to you.”

 SOURCE : LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER, ALLAFRICAN