PDP Non-Elective Convention: Ex-PDP ministers pledge support

Ex-Ministers of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Form has promised to give needed support to the party leadership in ensuring that credible persons were elected to lead the party.

Chairman of the forum, Mr Saminu Turaki, gave the assurance while briefing newsmen after the forum’s meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

Turaki said that the former ministers would support the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) to conduct, as quickly as possible, the non-elective convention and an elective national convention of the party.

He said that the support was necessary to ensure that credible individuals were given the responsibility to represent the “new face of PDP’’.

Turaki said that it was also important to elect people that would propel the activities of the party preparatory to 2019 elections. “We have also resolved that we are going to support credible Nigerians, not necessarily former ministers only, to get elected into our working committee.

“At this critical time, what PDP need are vibrant and dynamic Nigerians, who in line with expectations of Nigerians will restore meaning life to them

“People who will give that needed impetus for our party to quickly rise to the challenge, and provide that alternative government that will take over from the ruling party in 2019.

“We will also be part of the process that will ensure that there is a level-playing ground for members of PDP.

“We will give the needed support to all others who may be interested in returning to the PDP or joining PDP for the first time, to also aspire to get PDP platform to contest for elections.”

On the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, Turaki said that the forum had what it took to ensure that the process of electing the party candidate was transparent, fair “to strengthen the confidence of PDP members’’.

He said that the forum also welcomed all those who wish to return to the party after the Supreme Court judgment on its leadership. “We are aware that the NCC and leaders of this great party at all tiers are making arrangement to give opportunity to returnees.

“The arrangement is also for all other Nigerians that feel that PDP will provide that essential platform for them to pursue and realise whatever elective aspiration that they may have in line with our party’s Constitution.”