- Bode George pledges absolute loyalty to Secondus
We were sanctioned by Nigerians at the polls in 2015… We apologise that we have made mistakes, we have learnt our lessons and we are ready to begin on a new slate; experience is the best teacher, no other party has it – Uche Secondus, PDP National Chairman
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has apologised to Nigerians for what it described as “several shortcomings” during the 16 years it was in the leadership of the country. The party admitted that it has made many mistakes, and that was why it was rejected by Nigerians at the polls in 2015.
PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, at a public discourse, “Nation Building: Resetting the Agenda,” launched by the party in Abuja yesterday, said the apology was part of an evolution process without which there can be no maturity. His words: “Let me seize this opportunity to apologize to Nigerians unequivocally for the several shortcomings of our party in the near and far past.
“I hereby, as the National Chairman, do admit that the PDP made a lot of mistakes; we are humans, not spirits and the ability to admit is key in moving forward.“We admit that we have made several mistakes; we have passed through all our challenges and have acquired the experience no other party can boast of. “We were sanctioned by Nigerians at the polls in 2015; let me use this opportunity to apologise for our past mistakes.
“It is the honest thing to do, a legacy to transfer to our children; we cannot continue like that. “When we make mistakes, we should come out boldly to the people and apologise.
“It is important to do so because we have learnt from our mistakes unlike the All Progressive Congress (APC) that will make mistakes and lie to cover it. “We apologise to Nigerians that we have made mistakes, we have learnt our lessons and we are ready to begin on a new slate; experience is the best teacher, no other party has it.”
The programme, which attracted many PDP founding fathers and presidential aspirants, had a panel of discussants which analysed the state of the nation. Former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, who was National Chairmanship aspirant in the December 9, 2017 National Convention, pledged “absolute loyalty” to the Secondus- led National Working Committee (NWC).
Secondus, who regretted the state of the nation since the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over the rein of power in the country, said the PDP is now on a rescue mission, to rescue the country from APC’s misrule.
“All gains have been clearly eroded through an acute lack of the understanding of the intricacies of governing a complex state like Nigeria. “It has quickly become apparent that propaganda and unrealistic promises that helped the current ruling party to power could not and cannot deliver the much-needed dividends of democracy. You need competence and capability to do that!” he added. According to him, the ruling party has failed in the three major planks – combating corruption, tackling insecurity, especially the Boko Haram terrorist sect, and revamping of the others ple brought it to power.
“Today, the scorecard of the ruling party on all scores is embarrassingly abysmal,” Secondus declared. Instead of tackling corruption, the PDP National Chairman said the latest Transparency International report has shown that the corruption index under the APC government has worsened.
“Today, there is often swift action occasioned by extensive media trials when it comes to investigating opposition leaders all in a desperate move to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. “But Nigerians are witnesses to this government’s inability to extend same courtesies to its own members.
It is a clear case of selective fight against corruption,” Secondus said. The National Chairman, however, said since the party is on a mission to reset the country, it will first apologise for its past mistakes.
been devolved to the zonal, state and ward levels. PDP national headquarters at Wadata House will only coordinate affairs. “There are no votes to be solicited or won at Wadata House.
We are committed to the respect of the rule of law and I assure you that not only will your votes count in our primaries across the land, I assure you that your voice will be heard. “We are evolving from who we were to who we ought to be, principled party of avowed democrats who are committed to building a virile, strong nation whether we are in government or opposition.
“As a party, we have been through various challenges, ups and downs, good and bad, failure and success, promotion and demotion and yet we are still standing. “We are a party that despite our differences, possess a strong unity of purpose.
We are a party that has lost and won; celebrated and mourned. We spot talent and nurture them and our track record speaks eloquently for us. “Our appeal is universal regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, creed or religion.
We are a truly democratic party that is not ruled by ‘cabals’ or even a ‘lion’!” he stated. Secondus urged Nigerians to join the Rescue Nigeria mission by registering to vote, holding all elected leaders accountable, voting for only candidates that will deliver, vote and vote right as well as support the Rescue Nigeria initiative in its entirety.
“We extend our hand of fellowship to other political parties, groups and organizations that share in our passion and desire to rescue Nigeria from inept leadership,” he said.
George, who stated that the event has rekindled his hope in PDP, prayed that God would grant Secondus the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the party. “The rest of the world is watching us. After the convention, this was the first outing because it looks as if we have taken overdose of sleeping tablet.
“This is period of election, let the people know the difference, that this is a party with experience. “To err is human, to forgive is divine. You have done the talk, let our people go work the talk. We will ensure that that will be the message we will carry to the local leaders.
“All our founding fathers should come back and unite with the party. Some of them have gone to the wilderness,” he added. Former Vice Presidents, Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, former governors of Niger, Katsina and Anambra states were some of party leaders who attended the event. One of the panelists at the event, Ms Toyosi Ogunshiji, commended the party for toeing the line of honour.
She said that Nigeria must move from praying to taking more serious actions for the progress of the country. Ogunshiji said that the country needed statesmen “who think about the people and not politicians who think about the next elections.” According to her, Nigerians only voted against President Jonathan in 2015 and did not necessarily vote for President Muhammadu Buhari. She said that the electorate who would be seen in the 2019 general elections would be different from those politicians had seen in the past.
While calling for rigorous training of public servants, Ogunshiji said that the level of political awareness of the electorate would shock politicians in 2019. According to her, it is the quality of candidates put forward by political parties that will determine the outcome of the polls.