The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP,) Board of Trustees (BOT) on Tuesday in Abuja charged the party members to works towards the consolidation of democracy in the country.
The PDP BoT Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, said this during the Board’s meeting, even as he warned against the dangers of the country morphing into one a party state.
“A lot has happened; a lot is happening; this is the time to hit the ground running since all the judgements have come and gone.
“Our role as members of the BoT, the main organ of this party, is to ensure that this party did not die. 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. No body owns this party but other parties are owned. Here, we follow due process democratically,” the former Senate President said.
Wabara also tasked members of the party, including the BoT members, to do everything to bring the party back on track.
Wabara, who said there were so many issues happening within the party added it was time to address them.
“Some people are blaming us for not taking disciplinary actions on time; of course that has always been the bane of the party.
“We look at faces before we take the action. But some of us, especially the BoT, are always objective.
“Anything that goes outside our constitution will create problems; we should strictly abide by our constitution“, he said.
The party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, said it was time to rebuild the party after all litigations arising from the 2023 general election had been resolved.
Damagum expressed the readiness of the party’s national leadership to work for the party’s victory in the upcoming Edo and Ondo-cycle governorship elections.
“You are all aware of the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election. We have initiated the process of selecting a candidate for that election.
“In spite of 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“, he said.
The Chairman, the PDP Governors’ Forum, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, assured the BoT members of the governor’s support for the party.
“We are working to make sure that we reposition the party and reduce and minimize rancour and division.
“We must close ranks, 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.
“We don’t have the luxury of division. That is why some of the offices that are creating perception problem, we decided to rest them.
“Reconciliation must take place. Most people have their own groups here and there, but certainly it is not time for that“, he said.
Among those who attended the meeting were Taofeek Arapaja, Malam Sule Lamido, Emeka Ihedioha Usman Nafada, Stella Omu, and Josephine Anenih.
Others were Chief Achike Udenwa, Dr Babangida Aliyu, Emeka Ihedioha, Sen. Ahmed Maikarfi, Sen. Ben Obi and Mr Donald Duke.
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