IBB To PDP: Nigerians Deserve Better In 2019

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can only be an alternative for Nigerians if it presents a better choice come 2019 general elections.

Appraising his position on current political developments in the country, General Babangida stated that opposition PDP must work hard to convince Nigerians that the Party has something more beneficial for the Nigerian people as a substitute for the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) led by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus at the weekend in Minna, Niger state on Saturday, Babangida said it is satisfying to note the impact made by the Party’s re-branding ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“I am happy at your assurances that there will be no imposition in all your primary elections. It is all about choice and you have promised to provide the best choice,” the former President said.

General Babangida, who lauded the December 2017 PDP elective National Convention, said not a few Nigerians believed that the national convention will hold adding however that the outcome was successful and highly encouraging.

According to him, “Your ‘Reposition, Rebrand and Regain’ agenda is working and I mean particularly the rebranding. Some people believed that having been in government since 1999, the PDP will find opposition difficult but you are carrying on well and providing a better alternative.

“You have also not abandoned the people in times of crisis. I monitored your activities in Benue, Taraba and you just said your party has sent members to Zamfara to commiserate with the people.  Surely you have made the people the centre of your return and they will not forget you because you were with them in time of sorrow.

In his remarks, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said the present times demand that former leaders come together and work towards saving Nigeria from the current administration.

He said it is regrettable that Nigerians are daily contending with reckless killings and economic hardships, stressing that our country has never witnessed the type of division “our people are currently facing.”

“As a leader, you made the welfare of Nigerians the thrust of governance. You were also concerned about the peace and unity of this nation. You created and built people as well as institutions.

“Today, our nation is drifting and as leaders you cannot afford to keep quiet and watch on the sides. Leaders like you must come together and take a firm position on how to save our nation from the precipice.

“PDP remains the only alternative platform based on our experience more so because we have learnt our lessons. We have resolved to play by the rules and operate within the confines of our Party’s and the Nigerian constitution”, Prince Secondus said.

On PDP’s plans for the 2019 elections, the National Chairman said; “We are rebranding and repositioning to make our party open to all and regain the land for the people. We are determined to give opportunities to the youths and our women. We also want to mentor a new generation of young Nigerians that will take our nation to the next millennium.”

A statement signed by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said the national Chairman has therefore urged all Nigerians to rally round the re-branded and re-positioned PDP to restore the nation to the path of peace, national unity and economic prosperity.