The National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has given reasons
why majority of its members are solidly rooting for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur
to continue steering the affairs of the Party.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh says
Tukur’s maturity and fatherly disposition in tolerating opposing views
even when the holders of such views cross the lines of civilized conduct
is the hallmark of a statesman who is willing to build, rather than
destroy an institution he co-founded.
“Alhaji Tukur as a founding father of the Party is a bridge between the
original ideals of the formation of the Party and its contemporary
existence. His understanding that the PDP is a broad based coalition that
exist to cement the bonds of national unity is the reason he is very
accommodating to all views no matter how they may be personally
inconveniencing to him”, the statement said.
The party further described Tukur as “an astute pan-Nigerian patriot, an
African icon and global statesman whose sheer industry, hard work and
dedication have positively impacted on the PDP in just over one year as
the National Chairman.”
The statement listed Tukur’s strides to include “a pragmatic approach to
Party administration through the relentless pursuit of the triple R agenda
of Reconciliation, Reformation and Rebuilding which form the building
blocks for a stronger and united Party.
The party leadership also cited the excellent relations between the
President Goodluck Jonathan-led Executive arm of Government and the
Legislature as another milestone of the Tukur administration which has
provided a common platform for a regular interface between both arms.
“Alhaji Tukur has ensured greater participation of the Party in the
implementation of government programmes through regular monitoring of the
performance of PDP members in government. The regular briefings from
ministries, departments and agencies have helped reshape the approach to
governance, making them truly accountable to the people.
“Similarly, the Tukur-led administration has strengthened the Party
statutory organs at all levels to ensure that the efficiency at the
national level is replicated at the zonal States, Local and Ward levels
in accordance with the PDP constitution, manifesto and the visions of the
founding fathers.
This, the PDP noted is hugely responsible for the overwhelming victories
recorded by the party in most of the bye-elections and local council
elections held since 2012. The Party also commended the National Chairman
for introducing “an uncommon spirit of sportsmanship in the Party which
has seen it openly congratulate opponents in elections where the PDP lost”
and urged opposition parties to “take a cue from this and ensure that
political contests remain healthy and rancor free.”
The statement assured of Tukur’s commitment to bequeathing a strong,
virile and issue based Party to the next generation of leaders and urged
officials of the Party at all levels to emulate his broadmindedness in