A group under the auspices of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Wing, Northwest zone, Nigeria has kicked against the idea of PDP as the main opposition party joining forces with other political parties to form another formidable party or change its name.
The group, which expressed optimism that PDP, is still formidable and capable of kicking out the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) from power come 2019, alleged that those behind the clamour for change of name want to remove the current National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus.
The PDP youth also vowed to back Secondus in his efforts to unite members of the party, create a platform for better understanding and generate working relationship among the national working committee, zonal, state, local and ward units.
According to the group, under Secondus as the party leader, PDP members are sure of a level playing ground for all members, adding, “2019 election is about nine months to go and there is no doubt that the PDP will trounce APC .”
“PDP is a party with members across all six geo-political zones, with highly intelligent politicians, experienced professionals in almost all field of endeavour and people with proven track records, so why the fear or jitters?” The group queried.
Reacting to the issues, chairman of the group, Honourable Ibrahim Ahmadu, in an interview with journalists at Kaduna during the weekend , said PDP, though out of power, has the political weight and capacity to remain a party without changing its name.
While stressing that it would be counter-productive to think about joining other parties or change its name in bid to rest power from APC in 2019, Ahmadu explained, “PDP has existed for over 19 years and the suggested idea to collapse the party into another party is not only retrogressive, but will also destroy the PDP.
“In addition, those who are patronising former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) for the change of name of PDP should desist from such because, it’s inimical to our party’s sustained growth and development earned over years .
“There is no doubt that IBB is one of the founding fathers of PDP, who has helped to build the party to sustain power for 16 good
solid years. So, it is against this background that we are urging him to do away with these mediocres parading themselves as concerned party stakeholders.
“We believe in IBB and that is why we are calling on him to support PDP to remain one and indivisible party. It will be a slap if he concedes to pressure from these mediocres.