Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has advised Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members not to make the mistake of electing what he described as a wrong person as National Chairman at it’s December convention.
Jonathan gave the advice when he received an aspirant for the position, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, in his residence in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the party cannot afford to make a mistake in choosing its next national chairman and publicity secretary, describing them as “very delicate positions.”
“This time around we need a very courageous and vocal person to be the chairman.
“There are two positions that we must not make mistake on – the positions of the National Chairman and that of the National Publicity Secretary, because I have worn the shoes before and I know where it pinches.
“If we make a mistake as a party and elect wrong chairman and publicity secretary, we are finished,” Jonathan said.
He said that PDP at this moment, needs a courageous chairman, who in the face of persecution, would remain courageous to protect the party’s interest and defend democracy.
“We need very competent person and a team player, somebody who will not negotiate to get money from the aspirants to make them candidates.
“If you do that, you have destroyed the party because a party must come up with programmes and policies that will elect the best of the best.
“If you present the best material, the chances of your wining election are stronger than when you present a wrong material.
“We need such kind of chairman that will galvanise the national committee and also link up with state committees and do the best for the party.
“This is key, so that by 2019 when we go for the general elections, PDP will have majority in the states and national assemblies and of course, PDP must win the presidency,” he said.
Jonathan, who said that the December convention would be keenly contested, urged chairmanship aspirants to see the exercise as a family affair.
“Whatever comes out, as faithful loyalists of the party, you should accept it. So, whoever is going to contest should have that in mind.
“Recently, I read that you met with one of the aspirants; that is a good spirit; no victor no vanquished. The winner must be PDP and not an individual.”
He also corroborated the view of the former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd), on the need for the PDP to fully assume its role of opposition.
According to the former president, PDP must migrate from the ruling party to opposition for the purpose of stabilising the country’s democracy.
“I am not saying that as an opposition party you must been saying anything you like, no. PDP is a very mature party.
“We will not go to the quarter and criticise anyhow but all over the world, the opposition party checkmates the ruling party so that things are done properly, so that there will not be impunity.
“If the opposition party goes to sleep, the ruling party can do anything it likes,” he said
He, however, commended the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the party, saying that they did well, especially during the period of crisis in the party.
Jonathan prayed for Dokpesi in his aspiration to become PDP chairman and described him as “a member who has done well for the party.”
He said Dokpesi had used his resources to support the party, and “has shown so much commitment to the affairs of the party.”
Earlier, Dokpesi had urged Jonathan to ensure that the PDP came out of the December convention stronger and united.
He commended for former president’s resilience and efforts in ensuring that the party’s leadership crisis was resolved.
“I am very positive that this party must come out of December elective national convention stronger and united to be able to give the needed opposition to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“As our leader, you have to look for means to ensure that we come out of the forthcoming convention stronger and united,” he said.
In a related development, former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran, has consulted former military president, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, seeking his endorsement for the post of National Chairman of the PDP.
Adeniran was accompanied by a high-powered delegation led by Prof Jerry Gana, to Babangida’s Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State.
Other guests present included former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, two female pillars of the party, former two time minister Ina Ciroma, as well as Hajia Zainab Maina. They were accompanied by both the Chairman and Secretary of the Niger State chapter of the PDP.
Prof. Gana, in his speech, referred to his MAMSER days under IBB where he was the Chairman, and Adebiran the Secretary, and remarked that this was almost a reunion, pledging that he was bringing a man whose integrity IBB knew too well.
Shekarau on his part, spoke of his trust in Adeniran, stating that the former Minister of Education is the only one who willingly came to offer assistance during his tenure as governor, to develop education in his state.
IBB, in his remarks, appreciated the group for coming, and stated that Adeniran’s presence takes him back to his government days, emphasizing that the unity of Nigeria and how the PDP must have shock absorbers because the road ahead would be bumpy.
At the end, he endorsed Adeniran as his candidate for the office of National Chairman.
Adeniran, in appreciation, responded that Adeniran is IBB, and IBB is Adeniran, he does not need to campaign to him.
- NAN