Chief Jim Nwobodo, an elder statesman and the founder of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged the party’s leadership and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike to unite and rebuild the PDP into the powerful political force it once was.
Nwobodo, the oldest PDP member in attendance, called the party “the beacon of democracy in Nigeria” and urged its leaders to put peace and healing first during an emergency meeting in Abuja on Friday, November 8.
He declared, “The PDP is a family and a party where every member has a sense of belonging.” Therefore, I am pleading with all of you, especially our party’s leadership, to make sure that the PDP continues to be Nigeria’s shining example of democracy. The PDP is comparable to South Africa’s ANC. Make every effort to promote harmony within our party.
He called on the National Secretary, the Acting National Chairman, members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), and other relevant parties to make contact with disgruntled party members who have departed but are still devoted to its principles.
“Reach out to disgruntled members who are willing to follow the party’s ideology and constitution to return to the family, where they belong,” Nwobodo advised. The majority of Nigeria’s other party members were formerly PDP members. The mother party is the PDP. In this fourth republic, the PDP laid the groundwork for democracy.
Nwobodo disclosed that a number of former members had gotten in touch with him to express their wish to rejoin, pleading with the leadership to show generosity and provide an environment that promotes reconciliation.
“I implore you once more to form a robust committee for reconciliation in order to engage members. I am aware that a large number of our members are eager to return. I informed some of them that the party’s leadership would get in touch with them when they contacted me, he claimed.
Nwobodo turned to the FCT Minister, praising Wike’s progress in Abuja and urging him to use the same vigor to revive the PDP.
“They need your assistance, Honorable Minister Wike. When you are determined to work hard, we know what you are capable of,” he remarked. After living in Enugu for two years, I arrived in Abuja and was unable to identify the city. Abuja was no longer the same. The PDP will defeat this party if you put in the same kind of effort.
But the older statesman warned that it would take perseverance and sacrifice to rebuild the party.
It won’t be simple, but nothing worthwhile is simple. Don’t be discouraged or deterred,” he continued. “In order to ensure that the efforts of the founding fathers, the majority of whom are no longer with us, are not in vain, I wish you all the best of luck in your endeavor to restore this once formidable party.”
