Sunday Clement, Yola.
National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has said that the factional crisis in the party “is making me stronger”.
He said: “Every state or nation has a ruling party and I feel that as countries of the world begin to embrace true democracy, there is need for Nigeria not to be left out “.
Tukur posited that one of the tenets of true democracy is fairness, stressing that as a leader, he would ensure genuine reconciliation, devoid of confrontation from any group or individual.
Tukur, who stated this in Yola, the Adamawa State capital on Wednesday, revealed that since he assumed office as National Chairman of the party, he has come under series of castigation in the course of fighting injustice and dictatorial tendencies perpetrated by some aggrieved members of the party who are not willing to adapt to the wind of positive change.
He maintained that despite all odds, “I remain undisturbed and focused as verbal attacks and criticisms against me only make me stronger and well balanced in the quest of repositioning the party for better result.
“One of the challenges I have been facing among some
of our party members is because I want to effect positive changes in the party, because as I am committed to the 3Rs, which is reconciliation, rebuilding and restructuring the party as clearly stated in my12- point agenda, since the era of imposing of candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, governorship positions and
what have you is over. It can no longer be business as usual for those who want to be dictators”.
On the crisis and plans by the G7 Governors to quit the party,
Tukur noted that the situation is normal for any party that has grown wide, stressing that he is yet to ascertain that the aggrieved governors are set to quit the Peoples Democratic Party as they are still enjoying all the rights and privileges that befits them from the party.
” I hear people say PDP is factionalised, I do not agree with that. There is no faction in PDP. It is just an internal problem. The issue is that when you introduce a change, there must be opposition. Let them continue to oppose, while we govern with acceptable standards,” Tukur declared.
Commenting on those opposing the proposed National Conference, he noted that the exercise would address issues raised by aggrieved parties or individuals, stressing that the function of the National Assembly has clearly been spelt out by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Tukur said that he was ready to sacrifice any individual interest for the overall interest of PDP, and the unity of the country at large stressing that he would apologise if he is found of any wrong doing in the process of bringing sanity and everlasting peace to the PDP.
He explained that true reconciliation can only be attained in the PDP family on condition that the aggrieved party members need to shun their individual interests and have genuine minds to work for the progress of the party.
He said that his concern about the drift of the party was responsible for his desire to reform the party which some people are resisting.
“As a founding father of the PDP, I became worried about the drift in the party for the last 14 years. I am trying to restore
the dignity of the party and that has been my only undoing and I will not relent in my effort till I accomplish the goal”
