Founding fathers and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met on Wednesday in Abuja, at a consultative conference aimed at repositioning the party.
The main opposition party, who’s ranks has depleted continously over the months has continue to restrategise ahead the 2027 elections.
Giving an opening remarks at the parley, the party’s acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum described the
gathering as more than symbolic.
According to him, the coming together of founding fathers and other stakeholders was a reaffirmation that the People’s Democratic Party is alive, resolute, and focused on reclaiming its rightful place at the centre of Nigeria’s political life.
He praised the founding fathers for standing firm for democracy at a time it wasn’t popular, or even safe to do so.
The party’s helmsman particularly commended them for enduring intimidation, harassment, and in some cases, faced detention.
He said: “But first, we must honour the sacrifices of our party’s founding visionaries, and we remember, with profound respect, the brave architects of our party’s foundation; Dr. Alex Ekwueme, whose moral courage and intellect led the G-34 in challenging military dictatorship; Chief Solomon Lar, our first National Chairman, whose bridge-building spirit united our diversities; Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, whose vision, discipline, and mentorship shaped a generation of leaders, including myself; Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, a fearless advocate for democratic governance, whose progressive politics and principled leadership gave voice to, and energized the grassroots; General T.Y. Danjuma, whose commitment to national unity remains unshakable; and, of course, the Erudite Professor Jerry Gana, whose unflinching voice for justice and democracy continues to inspire us all.
“Indeed, our founding fathers stood firm for democracy at a time when it wasn’t popular or even safe to do so. They endured intimidation, harassment, and, in some cases, faced detention. Yet, they chose principle over comfort and conviction over convenience.”
Damagum then enjoined members to draw renewed strength and purpose from the wisdom of its founding fathers to rebuild the party.
In his own remarks, the governor of Bauchi State, who doubles as PDP governors forum chairman pledged their readiness to work together with the NWC, to ensure that the party stands.
“We want to assure Nigerians and indeed our founding fathers who convened this forum, that the governors are working with the National Assembly, the caucuses of the National Assembly, and the National Working Committee to ensure that we stand on our own to keep those flags flying.
“At the risk of sounding immodest, we are doing very well as governors, and we are doing it with humility, knowledge, and insight,”
While also speaking, one of the founding fathers of the party, Professor Jerry Gana recalled that the founding fathers were greatly motivated by the desire to build a qualitatively better society in Nigeria, based on the principles of democracy, human rights, freedom, and social justice.
According to Gana, “the party was poised to raise a political leadership which is exemplary, selfless, with clear vision with a huge capacity to mobilize the massive resources of Nigeria to transform both the people and the nation into a modern developed society,”
Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki while delivering his speech described the meeting as timely, saying PDP is an idea whose time has come.
On the gales of defection plaguing the party on a daily basis, Saraki added: “For many who had already buried this party before now, your presence here speaks volumes that nobody is going to bury this party.
“Yes, the party will have its challenges and is having its challenges. But the question we should ask ourselves is: should we abandon this party because of these challenges? Yes, mistakes have been made in the past, but the question still remains should we abandon this party?
“What I’m saying is don’t let propaganda divide us. Whatever those difficulties are, we have the capacity the sagacity to resolve those problems,”