The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has cried out over the fate of the party, stating that the party was at a crossroads as some people wanted it dead or destroyed.
He spoke on Tuesday when his predecessor, Ambassador Umar Damagum and members of his former National Working Committee, NWC formally handed over the affairs of the party to the new executive elected at the November 15 and 16 national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Turaki said, ‘’The PDP is at a crossroads because some people feel that the PDP must be killed or destroyed.’’
He reminded the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that democracy thrived on allowing political plurality, and assured the people that the new NWC would restore the party’s winning spirit.
“We will take the party back to the people. There will be no impunity, and there will be no injustice. The name of the party is the Peoples Democratic Party and we will take the party back to the people. There will be no impunity,’’ he said.
Turaki said the task before the new leadership was enormous, but assured members that they were “equal to the task.”
His words: ‘’I want to assure you that we have resolved to carry the flag and take the PDP to the next level.
‘’The responsibility entrusted in us is a very huge one. We will continue to take inspiration and advise and critical interface with you where necessary. You may be out but we need you for uncommon guidance.”
He asked for the cooperation of former NWC members and pledged to study the handover note as a guide for his administration.
Earlier, Damagum, expressed confidence that the party would overcome its current challenges, saying the future remained bright for the PDP despite its recent setbacks.
“We are a party to beat. That is why they are trying to frustrate us. We are people of faith. God is a just God, and He does not support injustice.
‘’The future is bright. Every day you cross one hurdle and another comes up. We are positive that God will always see us through,” Damagum stated.
PDP Issues Wike, Others Expulsion Certificates
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki on Tuesday issued expulsion certificates to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose and nine others expelled at national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Turaki, who displayed the certificates during a briefing with newsmen at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, said the action was taken to formally affirm the decisions of the convention—the party’s highest decision-making organ—and to prevent the affected individuals from violating Nigerian laws on dual party membership.
He said: “We have also considered the issue of members of our party who were expelled by the national convention in Ibadan. We have taken note of the fact that Nigerian law frowns on dual membership of political parties, and so we have sought to make it easy for them. Now that they are no longer members of our party… we have decided to issue them certificates of expulsion.”
Turaki displayed each certificate one after the other, beginning with that of Wike and Fayose, and noted that all 11 certificates had already been dispatched via courier to the affected individuals.
“This is the certificate of expulsion of His Excellency Nyesom Wike. An original copy has gone to him via courier.
“This is the certificate of His Excellency Ayodele Fayose; it has also been sent to him through courier.
“This is proof that he has been expelled from the PDP. Next is the certificate of distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu; it has been sent to him via courier.
“Next is the certificate of expulsion of Honourable Umaru Bature; that has also been sent to him via courier.
“Next is the certificate of Kamarudeen Ajibade, Senior Advocate of Nigeria; that has also been sent to him via courier.
“Next is that of Abdurahman Muhammad; it has also been sent to him via courier.
“The next one is for Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; it has been sent to him via courier services.
“The next one is for Mr Austin Nwachukwu; his certificate of expulsion has also been sent to him via courier.
“The next is that of Abraham Nnanna; it has been sent to him via courier.
“Second to the last is that of George Turna; this certificate has also been sent to him via courier services. I am sure some of them have already received theirs.
“Last but not least is that of Chief Dan Orbih; it has been sent to him through courier.”
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to take note that the 11 persons are no longer members of the PDP.
Chuks Okocha
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