The Peoples Democratic Party yesterday charged members of its national campaign council to win the November 11 governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States, stressing that nothing short of a victory is expected of them.
Acting PDP national chairman Umar Damagun, stated this at the inauguration council and presentation of certificates of return to the party’s candidates at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.
Damagun tasked the campaign team to grow the party’s support base in the state, adding, “You have been selected carefully because of what you can do, regardless of where you come from. We have confidence in you that you will go there and conquer. We expect nothing but victory.
“You are going in at a time whereby the country as it is, everybody is feeling the burden of the mistakes that have happened in this country. What is expected of you is go there and remind them that this is not what we bargained for, and that there is a time God in his infinite mercy, gives us to change the course of history, and this is the time.
“We will have Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi. These are PDP states. Somehow, they slipped away but Bayelsa has always had a PDP governor. I want to challenge everyone in this country to look at the states governed by PDP governors viz-a-viz the other parties. We have always excelled.
“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate you and urge you to do what you know how to do best and at the same time, play within the rules. Everybody knows that our party has always respected the rule of law. The fact that they are doing the contrary does not mean we should change our minds. We should not follow them; we should always play by the rules.”
Delivering an acceptance speech on behalf of the Chairmen of the Governorship Campaign Councils for the three states, Governor Adeleke described the PDP as a widely beloved political party that has worked and is still working to satisfy the aspirations of our people.
“PDP is light. We bring true development to the people and the state. In Osun state, we are showing the world what democracy is all about: development and progress for the state and the people.
“When you vote PDP, you vote light, development and progress. Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States want light and good governance. We will work hard to deliver our governorship candidates. Light will prevail over darkness in all these forthcoming elections,” he said.
Bayelsa State Governor and PDP candidate in the forthcoming polls, Duoye Diri said the party is united in the state.
“PDP is very sure of victory in Bayelsa State. We don’t have any internal crisis in the PDP in Bayelsa State. We are well organized and as a matter of fact, we have more members of the opposition coming into PDP in Bayelsa State. Bayelsa PDP is very strong, vibrant and poised to win the election. If I should give you a scale, it would be like 80-20 per cent. Bayelsans have resolved unanimously that PDP as exemplified by me, doesn’t need to change players in a winning team,” he said.
The Imo governorship candidate and PDP national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, said “Imo is traditionally a PDP State. What you have there now is a product of the court. I am back to reclaim the mandate of the PDP,” he assured.
On his part, candidate for Kogi State, Dino Melaye, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would be history after the November election.
He said, “I just want to announce that as far as this election is concerned in Kogi State, APC is history. APC has gone to oblivion. PDP is the party to beat in Kogi State and I assure the people of Kogi State, that my name is Daniel and Daniel is used to taming lions. I befriend lions, I kiss lions and subdue lions.”
