*It’s Huge Responsibility, Says Bayelsa Gov
*We’ll Reposition Party To Rescue Nigerians – Bala Mohammed
From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Nigeria’s major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, inaugurated its National Elective Convention Zoning Committee at the national headquarters in Abuja.
The 46-member committee is headed by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, with his Zamfara and Plateau counterparts, Dauda Lawal and Barr. Caleb Mutfwang as vice chairman and secretary respectively.
A statement issued by Diri’s spokesman, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the Acting PDP National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, who inaugurated the committee, as saying that it had the onerous task of repositioning the party to make it stronger.
Damagum, who expressed confidence in the leadership of the committee, said the inauguration was the first step ahead of the party’s convention slated for November 2025.
He charged the members to deploy wisdom, magnanimity and experience to produce a robust formula for a successful convention.
The PDP leader also urged the committee to immediately swing into action as the party was racing against time.
Also, Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, who is chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, commended the choice of Diri and other members, saying the committee had the capacity and pedigree to handle such an important assignment for the party.
He said the party’s governors were behind the National Working Committee (NWC) and are together in ensuring that the PDP was repositioned to rescue Nigerians from bad governance.
He said: “On behalf of all our governors in the PDP, I express appreciation to all members of our party from the wards to the national level for their sacrifice and contributions.
“Our party has navigated so many booby-traps. We have travelled and covered the long distance and this milestone is worth celebrating with humility and focus.
“The governors are behind the National Working Committee and the desire to reposition our party for Nigerians to have a credible alternative. With experience and foresight, we are moving forward in the right direction.
“Our party has all the legacies and landmarks of democracy. I believe Nigerians are aware that all the major achievements of our country under democratic rule were done by the PDP. The many years of the PDP administration have left fond memories and melancholy. Maybe the loss we have suffered will make us know our limitations and enable us do better.
“I assure that our governors are behind this project of making Nigerians unified by bringing the right leadership that will make them happy.”
In his brief response on behalf the committee, Governor Douye Diri described the assignment as a huge responsibility that will be handled with commitment and dedication.
The Bayelsa governor assured that the committee will consult, partner with stakeholders of the party and be fair and just in its decisions.
“We will be consultative. We will partner and be inclusive in arriving at a fair and just formula for our party. Thank you for finding us worthy to discharge this assignment and we will do it to the best of our abilities.”
