By Abdul Rahman Aliagan
Former Nigerian Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has expresses his confidence over the position of the major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) that there will be no imposition of candidate on people during primaries ahead of 2019 elections. Adding that he is equally satisfied with rebranding the leaders of the party have achieved so far.
This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, quoted Babangida has said in Minna, Niger State while receiving members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) on Saturday.
Babangida receiving the PDP NWC led by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, also expressed satisfaction with the rebranding so far achieved by the party 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,” he is quoted as saying.
Commending the elective National Convention of the PDP, the former president noted that not a few Nigerians believed that the national convention would hold, but, however, the outcome was successful.
“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,” Babangida is quoted as saying.
The statement also quoted Secondus, while speaking earlier, telling Babangida that Nigeria’s former leaders must rally together to save the nation from the current situation.
Secondus lamented the killings and economic hardships which Nigerians contend with on daily basis, and the level of division in the country.
“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,” he said.
The national chairman said that the PDP remained the only alternative platform based on its experience, and because it had learnt it lessons.
Secondus said that PDP leaders had resolved to play by the rules and operate within the confines of the party’s and the Nigerian constitution.
“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,” Secondus is quoted as saying.
He urged all Nigerians to rally with the repositioned PDP to restore the nation once more to the path of peace, national unity and economic prosperity.