The Peoples Democratic Party PDP has described the voluntary stepping
aside of its former National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur and the peaceful
resolution of its leadership challenges as a climax of
political maturity and another eloquent expression of the internal
democratic mechanism that form the building blocks of the Party.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa
Metuh said the development which came against the backdrop of doomsday
predictions by the opposition has again proved the in-built conflict
resolution capacity of a Party whose leaders are ever mindful of its
historic responsibility as the custodian of the fate of over 160 million
Nigerians .
” On Thursday, the selfless efforts of our leaders to re-engineer and
strengthen our great party peaked with the selfless example of our former
National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, who voluntarily resigned. It was a
denouement which brought to the fore, the unimpeachable democratic
features of the PDP as a political party whose leaders and members are at
all times willing to sacrifice personal interests in the overall good of
the party and the nation. This is a true character of a political party
attuned to the essentials of progress and national
unity.”
” Instructively, the occasion re-affirmed that despite our large size and
diversity, our capacity to internally resolve all our challenges and by
extension hold Nigeria together as well as boost her fortunes and improve
the lots of the people is without rival .”
“By this very development also, we re-established with emphasis, that the
interest of the people is primary to every consideration in our party and
that no amount of sacrifice is inconceivable in service to Nigeria. ”
The statement declared that the peaceful manner through which the PDP has
continued to resolve its problems is an assurance that the challenges
facing Nigeria today would equally be resolved with the cooperation of the
people.
” We therefore wish to send a fresh clear signal to the opposition and
detractors who must be hugely disappointed with the outcome of our
National Executive Committee meeting that the PDP has come to stay and
shall continue to win elections, having been deeply rooted in the province
of the people. ”
” For nearly sixteen years since formation, our great party has passed
through numerous challenges and on each occasion emerged stronger. It has
remained the only political party in this democratic dispensation which is
truly national, that has neither changed its name nor logo and has not
changed in its commitment to the people. The PDP has shown a true
character of a political party strongly resolved on building a strong,
virile democratic polity and which has numerous infrastructural
developments to its credit.”
The statement added, ” we have shown a perfect example for the present and
future generation of politicians to copy. The greatness of any political
party is not only a function of its numerical strength and diversity,
essential also is the patriotism of its leaders, the relegation of
personal interests and the supremacy of the will of the people, all,
core essential in nation building. This played out in full on Thursday.”
The statement further commended the heroic courage of Dr. Turkur, his
father figure role and his unrivaled determination to push through his
ideals on the reform of the PDP, while paying tribute to the wise and
unbiased disposition of President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders of
the party in resolving all party challenges .
It also assured Nigerians that the PDP will continue to be united so as to
give all the needed support to the efforts of government to transform
Nigeria and improve the welfare of the people.