Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, says he can stabilise the party if voted to become chairman.
He made the remark in Abuja on Friday after collecting PDP chairmanship nomination form for N1 million at the party’s temporary secretariat.
He said: ”If people vote for me, I look forward to stabilise the party and put it in the right position. The ruling party should get ready for serious engagement because we have started a cohesive battle ahead of 2019”, George said.
According to him, “PDP is not down and out. It will rise again. With the right leadership, defectors will sheathe their swords and return”.
He said although the PDP was undergoing turmoil, he would stabilise it as he said was known for his ability to resolve problems, if he becomes the chairman.
”It takes an experienced captain to stabilise a ship hit by tornado and if you know the crisis in PDP, that is the position the party is facing right now.
”I am happy that all is not lost, and the condition has been enhanced, zoning has gone extremely well. I have paid my dues in this party and I shouldn’t be afraid of anybody.
”This job requires commitment, determination; it requires justice and fairness. They know me, what we cannot defend we cannot go for.
”Trying to come back is like looking back, we are lucky we got a bloody nose, not a technical knockout; we will rise again.
”Everybody will have to come on board even those of our friends who were angry and left for the APC; they are tenants there because they were landlords in PDP.
”If we are lucky and we get the right leadership who is fair and just and committed in the party, they will come back’’, he contended.
The convention is billed to hold on August 17 in Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT), Sen. Walid Jubril, said in Abuja on Friday that the party was not for sale.
In a goodwill message to the inauguration of the party’s national convention and financial committees, Jubril said that there were moves to reconcile its feuding parties and that the BOT would ensure that credible and upright people were elected.
”The party is facing a very difficult time in its history and has tampered with the ideals and formations of the founding fathers.
”We have been playing, the party is supreme, the party is above all of us. If you read our constitution it solves all these problems but today we are facing a myriad of court cases.
”We are, however, looking at reconciliation chaired by Prof. Jerry Gana so we can look into the arguments and by God’s grace, before the convention, settle these matters.
”We do hope that justice will be done and people will come to their senses. We’ve passed the era of impunity, selfishness and will go by fairness and justice,’’ he said.
He said that the party was not for sale, adding: “We are going to elect upright and honest people who cannot be bought over, who will lead us.
”The BOT will not accept anyone brought in by force. We will give everyone a chance to elect the leader of their choice.”
Inaugurating the committees, the Chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, said the decision to zone the chairmanship to the South West was not to exclude anyone.
Makarfi said: ”Our role is to put the committee in place and inaugurate, not to assign roles. Zoning is not to exclude you. It is important that members participate effectively because the activities of the sub-committees will produce a quality convention. It is important we are fair, just and play fairly.
”If zoning does not favour you and you think you have a fair chance of winning, it is up to you to campaign on your own, get delegates and go into the election.”
Accepting the committees, the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Iliya, said that ”the PDP remains the most formidable and greatest party in Africa”.
In another goodwill message, the Deputy Senate Minority Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi, assured the gathering of support from the legislators at all time.
”We want you to know that we are in support of the BOT and the caretaker committee.
”The challenges we have do not destroy us, the only thing that will mark us out is rising above the challenges.
”We are coming out strong and showing the people that this party remains the vehicle to take us back,” Olujimi said.
The disputed Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, had repeatedly said the convention would not hold as the courts have ruled it illegal.
