The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday counselled its candidates, former aspirants and supporters in Kogi and Bayelsa states to go out in unity and work for the party’s victory in the November 16 governorship elections in their respective states
The National Chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus, gave the advice in Abuja yesterday at the presentation of Certificates of Return to winners of its primary elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States
Secondus said it was not yet time for celebration, but for all to work for the party’s victory in the two states.
He said that ceremony was not for jubilation but for stakeholders to come together, having gone through tough and difficult, but peaceful and transparent processes of the primaries.
According to him, “for our candidates in Bayelsa and Kogi States, it is not yet time for celebrations because this nation is a distress
“It is time for you to go and bring people together to reconcile our people so that they can team up with all of you and restore the hope of ordinary man, especially in Kogi State
“The responsibility on you today is not to be the master but the servants of the people,as you move from here , our party is going to set up two committees, for reconciliation and campaign. You must move from here and know that you have a lot of work to do.
“You must go out in unity to show the spirit of oneness to the people of Kogi and Bayelsa States They need you, they need the PDP to restore the hope of Nigerians.”
Secondus said that the transparency of the primaries was a confirmation of pledge by PDP leadership under his watch that no more need for aspirants to meet party leadership for favour, but meet with the people at the grassroots who would cast vote.
He congratulated those who went round to mobilise support not just for the aspirants, but for the party.
Secondus commended the aspirants for the time and resources they spent in mobilising support for the PDP during the primary, adding that they were all qualified but maybe it was not yet their time.
According to him, “I want to encourage all aspirants that you have lost nothing but you have written your names in gold. You have fulfilled the requirements of a good citizen by volunteering yourselves to contest.”
In his remarks, the National Secretary of the Party, Alhaji Usman Sauri said that it was time for all stakeholders to work together to retain Bayelsa and win Kogi state during the governorship polls.
Alhaji Sauri pointed out that it was the wish of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP to disintegrate after the primaries, but the PDP remain united.
Responding, Senator Diri Douye, the Bayelsa State Party candidate, said that he had already started reconciliation process with all aspirants in the state and was very impressive with their responses
According to him, “I have started calling all the former aspirants pleading with them to supports me. And our great party in Bayelsa State, we believe that the only way to win Bayelsa is for us to work together and be focused on achieving that goal.
On his party, Musa Wada of Kogi state, said he had also started the process of reconciliation with all aspirants, with Capt. Idris Wada, former governor of the state, leading the course for him.
He said that the party was ready for the election, saying “we are ready for a peaceful election and we will never be a party to violence”.
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