…Berates Governors for abandoning party when needed most
…Vows to reclaim mandates
…As party demotes Damagun from National Chairman position
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT and national leader of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, on Sunday chided Governors who defected from the party, saying that President Bola Tinubu’s election victory in the 2027 polls will not shield them from being held accountable for their deeds while in office.
Recall that all but two Governors elected on the party’s platform have so far abandoned the party in search of protection in the ruling All Progressive Congress APC, to support the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Their defection has swelled to number of the APC Governors to 32, with only Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state and Seyi Makinde of Oyo state still remaining in the party
Wike however vowed to reclaim its mandates taken away by the Governors and lawmakers who defected to other parties from the PDP
Wike, speaking at the party’s elective national convention at the national stadium Velodrome, Abuja, on Sunday urged members of the party across the country to keep faith with the party.
He also vowed to ensure that the PDP regains its national status,
“What you have seen happening, the actions of a faction of some governors who have walked away, only shows that they lack a sense of leadership. I liken them to the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
“That candidate was given a platform by the Labour Party to pursue the presidency, yet when a crisis arose within the party, it was precisely the moment leadership was required. Instead of stepping forward to resolve the problems, he could not, and failed to provide that leadership.
“In the same way, when our governors were seeking a platform to become governors, they found one and achieved their ambition. But when crises emerged, and it was time to demonstrate leadership, vision, and courage, they ran away. That tells you who can truly stand firm in difficult times.
He likened it to a father who abandoned his family, when he was needed most
“When you have a wife, or wives, and there are problems in your household, you do not abandon your family. You remain there and work to resolve the issues. That is why I thank all of you for your commitment. You have shown leadership, real leadership.
Read also: PDP convention: Saraki, Lamido, Ikpeazu, Kure, others, seek return to peace, as party holds convention
“Let no one assume that the achievements of the President will shield anyone. This is a period of accountability. You must demonstrate your responsibility and commitment, because when crises arise, some people flee. They seek positions, even aspire to lead the country, yet when faced with challenges, they withdraw.
“So we must be careful about such sub-national actors. As I have said here, whether you are from Taraba, Bayelsa, or anywhere else, return our mandate. Return our mandate, that is the message I have for you.”
He commended the party members for standing firmly with the umbrella, to overcame a tragic crisis of leadership, so huge that it threatened to destroy party.
” Together we fought against proponents of ethnic and geographic divisions; we trounced the naysayers who abandoned the core values upon which the party was built and in the process, arrested the party from the vice grip of those who abhor internal democracy and shun adherence to the rule of law.
” More importantly, we fought and returned the party to its rightful owners, the people, an accomplishment which speaks to the fundamental principle upon which the party was erected.
“It is against this backdrop that I unreservedly congratulate all of you, who stood firm when the storm raged”
He noted that the party members had displayed exemplary resilience, adding that” when push came to shove; you refused to be downcast when those who pretended to be leaders of the party betrayed you disgracefully; you survived the taunts of the naysayers who proclaimed your party dead as if they were God; you painstakingly stayed the course of the night in the stubborn faith that morning would inevitably come and here we are, with that morning certainly before us
“You have in the process, put to shame the cynics who never believed our party would rise again.
“Together, we are standing on the positive side of history with renewed energy, vision, and purpose, more united and committed to the task of making Nigeria a truly prosperous country. You are undeniably great men and women. I salute your courage, tenacity, and loyalty.
He also commended the party members at the grassroots across all the wards in the country who remained largely stable in their dedication to the party.
He stated that ” They insisted that they would never leave the party that has over the years, contributed in no small measure to their welfare and upliftment on the one hand and the development of the society at large.
” So, while they watched the ugly spectre of the infidelity of opportunistic elites that were gyrating from one party to another in the pursuit of selfish purposes, they remained faithful to the party, praying fervently for a renaissance to come.
‘Let me make it abundantly clear that the path to the future for our party must be paved with the values of inclusiveness, unity, and renewal.
“Our brothers and sisters, with whom we journeyed in agreement or disagreement, should all come and join us in rebuilding our party for the common and collective good of all and sundry”
He also assured that no one would be excluded, and everyone would be given an equal opportunity to serve in unity and love.
” We must all pledge to a renewal of our commitment, loyalty, and dedication to the party.
“We must all sacrificially commit to a new era of purpose and collective vision predicated on the core values enunciated by our founding fathers.
“This party was built fundamentally, as a Peoples Party, and we must therefore, moving forward, create legitimate channels through which the people’s voices must be heard and upheld”
End
