With 17 persons now in the race for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the aspirants are intensifying their efforts to get the support of the party hierarchy, meeting and presenting themselves to the party leaders as the best individuals for the job.
Former presidents of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim and Bukola Saraki as well as Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, were on Wednesday actively engaged in the attempt to curry the favour of its National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) in separate meetings with the leaders in Abuja.
Speaking to the NWC led by the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, Anyim warned the main opposition party against jettisonning its zoning principle or else it will become a weakened institution that will not be able to protect its members.
The former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) who was at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja to formally inform the NWC that he had returned his completed expression of interest and nomination forms to vie for its presidential ticket, outlined his pathway to revive the country if given the chance to be president, said he will abide by the decision of the party on zoning but it must be based on justice, equity and fairness.
He advised the party hierarchy to defend the initiative as prescribed under Section 7 3C of its constitution, warning that if it is jettisoned, the former ruling party will face the prospect of becoming a shadow of itself.
Anyim reminded the party leaders that zoning is the fundamental principle of the PDP and must be preserved as the party searches for its 2023 flagbearer.
He said: “If I appear before you today without touching on the raging issues of zoning in our party, my presentation will not be complete.
“As a true party man, I will abide by the decision of the party. However, I would want to put the following on record: Democracy thrives on three ‘certainties’ – Certainty of tenure, Certainty of structure, Certainty of process.
“At anytime any of these ‘certainties’ is no longer guaranteed, democracy will corrupt justice and enthrone inequity. Accordingly, my appeal is that zoning, being a fundamental principle of our party, should not be jettisoned.
“Democracy, being a system of rules and order, depends on strong institutions for its sustenance and success. When a system can no longer defend its rules, it will enthrone the reign of might as against the rule of law.
“My appeal is that PDP should defend Sec. 7 (3) (c) of its constitution.
“I seek your prayers and partnership on this collective journey. I trust that I can count on your support and goodwill at all times. Together, we shall make Nigeria great again.”
Anyim observed that never before in its history has Nigeria been as divided as it is today, along the lines of ethnicity and religion.
He noted that separatist agitations have become a national problem, with kidnapping and banditry becoming choice occupations.
The former SGF pointed out that the root of all the agitations are “bad governance, discrimination, nepotism, mediocrity, and denial of the dividends of democracy,” adding that non-state actors have unhindered access to superior arms to confront, and in some cases, overpower state actors.
According to him, the capacity of the state to protect lives and property has been severely weakened while poverty, hunger and deprivation have sapped the self-confidence of citizens, weakened their faith in the country and eroded their sense of patriotism.
He said if, given the opportunity, he will provide a pathway for national integration by running inclusive governance, promoting equality of all citizens before the law and protecting the independence of the judiciary.
Anyim further told the party leaders: “In line with the rule of law, we shall build strong institutions, promote and protect the sanctity of lives as well as the right and liberties of all citizens.
“We shall promote, consultations, dialogue and negotiations in order to secure the buy-in of our citizens in the governance process.
“We shall efficiently and effectively manage our diversity within the framework of equity, justice, fairness and inclusion.”
Addressing members of the PDP BoT, Senator Saraki identified the various woes Nigeria is faced with, pointing out that Nigeria’s economy is not weak but the country is broke.
According to him, the country is losing about $3.5 billion from crude oil theft while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) does not remit money into the Federation Account.
He alleged that Nigeria lacks a leader with the appropriate wherewithal to give it direction.
Saraki stated: “This is where we are today. As we struggle with insecurity we are struggling with the economy of this country. The economy is weak. No. The country is broke. I am not exaggerating.
“As of today, NNPC does not contribute anything to Federation Account. 70% of our oil is being stolen. It has never been like this before. I am saying this because I know you know is bad but it is worse than you can imagine. Because there are some of us that have an idea of how bad the situation is.
“Today, it is a danger for children in certain parts of the country to go to school because you’re not sure whether they will come back home Your Excellencies This is where we find ourselves in this country today.
“And as such Your Excellencies, we don’t have the pleasure or the luxury to not choose right or elect right who will lead us ahead. That luxury we have lost because of the danger that we find ourselves in today.
“This is not the time for us to take chances on who should lead us. This is not the time for us to be sentimental about who should lead us. You’re experienced enough, you’re exposed enough, you’re knowledgeable enough to know the kind of president, the kind of flat bearer we needed this party.
“Today, the kind of president we need is a president that understands these issues. If the president does not understand the issues as we have seen, he cannot provide leadership. This is a fact. If the president doesn’t understand the issues, he cannot provide leadership.
“You cannot lead what you don’t know. It leads to confusion. The advisers become the president, the aides become the president. The person you put there is not the person who is leading the country.
“The kind of president we need today must be a president that can unite. There is a pain in the land, there is division in the land. You cannot unite if you don’t have the characteristics or the qualities to unite people. You cannot acquire it overnight. You must have the skill to unite.
“Some of us, myself in particular, by virtue of the experiences we have picked up from roles we have played in this country, can provide unity.”
“Your Excellencies, I thank you for listening to me, I seek your support. We have a brighter Nigeria ahead of us if we all work together from where we are now in the right direction,” Saraki pleaded with the BoT members.
Also appealing for support in a meeting with NWC members, Governor Mohammed said he has the qualities to rescue Nigeria from the shambles he said were caused by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He told the party leaders: “With all humility, I may not be the best. I don’t claim to be the best. The best to lead this country may be amongst you. The best of this country may be among the crowd here or outside. I’m telling you I’m here to present myself as a servant.
“As somebody who traversed all the constituencies of the public service, the civil service, the National Assembly and indeed, the media, with all these experiences, we have built bridges. I’m a team player. I can only lead and Nigeria needs leadership.
“Leadership recruitment that will be incentivised by you on the basis of transparency, fairness and justice to be able to bring hope to every Nigerian. To get the best hands on deck.”
“Our economy is in shambles. We don’t have security. We don’t have a government. Not one person will do it. My experience alone is not enough. But I want to tell you Mr Chairman and distinguished members of the NWC, we have antecedents and pedigree behind us,” he added.
The Bauchi governor, who also met with the PDP BoT Wednesday, further pleaded: “Mr Chairman, I’m ready to use my position to be a unifier, to be a servant and respect the supremacy of the party. To give this party dignity or respect to be able to discharge its onerous responsibility of bringing the best out of the 17 aspirants.
“I believe I’m one of the best. But if I’m not found to be the best, I’m ready to work with anybody that you will bring out. That should be understood. I will not call anybody names, I will not underestimate or undermine anybody. I will not demean and diminish anybody. Every Nigerian is important.
“The country needs rescue. APC has failed in all these ramifications. To do it, we must strategise.”
Mohammed assured that if given the chance, he will not be a sectional leader, saying: “I’m not going to be a northern president, or a Muslim Fulani president or a minority president. I am going to be the Nigerian President who understands the nuances of the norms and the feelings of Nigerians because I have touched them.
“I have worked with them. I have understood them. And after understanding them, I know what Nigerians want. What they need is good governance, justice and equity. And then management of scarce resources. Not borrowing money. We are doing it in Bauchi, Your Excellency, with little resources.
“What we need is security and the security can only be provided by justice and equity. Equitable distribution of resources, closing of rank, making everybody feel important and dignified.
“Your excellency, I’m offering myself to run for this office, out of the need to serve because I have served at various levels as a media man, as a civil servant, as a senator, a legislator and now as a Governor. I know the country very well. And of course, I will not put you to shame. I will not put the country to shame.
“Mr Chairman, trust me with this responsibility. I will take everybody along. And I will bring a revolution in terms of turning around and rescuing the country. I thank you most sincerely for the audience. I don’t want to bother you. But I want to tell you, I’m a party man. I believe in the party and the supremacy of the party.”
Meanwhile, the PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, has assured that the leadership will play its role as the umpire and allow party members to decide who becomes the presidential candidate.
Responding to the presentation by Anyim, he expressed the hope that all the aspirants will accept the outcome.
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