The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to up the ante in the Nigerian political leadership come 2027 when the party will increase its State Governors tally from the current 12, and take over governance at the centre.
Speaking yesterday – Sunday, January 5 – during a visit to the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, at his country home, Sampou, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, the party’s National Treasurer, Alhaji Ahmed Yayare, speaking on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC), said due to the level of disenchantment across the country, occasioned by the lingering economic hardship, PDP is certain to produce more Governors in 2027.
Describing the former national ruling party as the only viable opposition party that could wrest political power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, Yayare warned that “if PDP does not take over the leadership of the country, it could be the end of democracy in Nigeria.”
“Nothing stops the PDP producing the president and the vice president in 2027. The cry of hunger and poverty is too much in the land.
“The 36 States of Nigeria are yearning for the return of PDP. The APC cannot go out to campaign because they will be stoned. Nigeria is in your hands. We need your support to salvage Nigeria,” he said.
Yayare said the NWC was prepared to go round PDP States to canvass support ahead of the 2027 election and urged the Governors to close ranks towards actualising their vision, explaining that the NWC was in Sampou to also commiserate with Senator Diri over the death of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (rtd), Moses Jituboh, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Elizabeth Bidei.
The PDP National Secretary, Ude-Okoye, also stated that the NWC was poised to reposition the party and demonstrate to Nigerians that they have an alternative that could offer quality leadership.
He said the NWC would swing into action towards strengthening the party and ensure that there is respect for PDP and its Governors.
In his response, Diri said it is essential for the party and its Governors to be united so the party could effectively play its role as the country’s only viable party in opposition.
“As Governors we need to work closely together. We need to do what is right without minding whose ox is gored,” Diri said.
According to him, posterity would not forgive the current Governors if PDP dies in their hands.
Assuring the party of his support, as, according to him, he is ot interested in polarising the PDP, Diri said:
“If anybody is bigger than the party, the person can leave. It is PDP that has made most of us. We cannot be in PDP in the day time and at night be in another party. We need to do in-house cleansing.”
Diri expressed support for the idea of forming a mega party with PDP standing out prominently to take over power at the centre.
He equally urged his colleagues to strengthen the party so it can salvage the country from its current slide.
