Politics
Nigerians Should Expect Beautiful Primaries From PDP – Abbey
Candidates for the 2023 general elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will emerge from primary elections that will showcase the best of democratic practices, devoid of political shenanigans.
This is the assertion made by the Chairman of the Degema Local Government Area chapter of the party, Disciple Peter Abbey.
Speaking exclusively with The Tide in Port Harcourt, Abbey said the PDP is poised to re-enact its laudable outings in both the 2018 primary elections and it is recently concluded National Convention that midwifed the present National Working Committee (NEC) of the party.
“We’re expecting beautiful primaries; loving primaries; primaries that will show the world that PDP is a party of love “, he said, adding that there was nothing to worry about on account of the number of aspirants and their campaigns for votes from party delegates across the country.
“We have antecedents including the last National Convention where, against doomsday predictions, we went and came out successful.
“So, primaries to elect who will represent the party, from the state Assembly, House of Reps, Senate, Governorship and ultimately the presidential, I assure you, you will see that everything will go on smoothly “, he emphasized.
According to the LGA party boss, it is imperative for the party to be organized and maintain a unity of purpose and action if it must succeed in its mission to salvage the country, noting that adherence to the notion of party supremacy was key to achieving the objective.
He said: “You heard our principal, the governor of Rivers State, Barrister E. N. Wike, say that the decision of the party is final. So, it’s not about an individual, it’s a collective decision because we have to salvage Nigeria (and) if not for anything else, we’ll keep our house in order to salvage Nigeria”.
Disciple Abbey who is also an aspirant for the sole Degema State Constituency seat in the Rivers State House of Assembly, vowed not to do anything to gain undue advantage over any other aspirants in the course of the selection process.
“As chairman of the party and an aspirant, I won’t impede on people’s rights”, he declared, adding that the PDP in the LGA will sit as a family and make the final decision of who becomes the candidate of the party.
Declaring himself as the best person to fly the flag of the PDP and represent the people of Degema LGA in the state House of Assembly , Disciple Abbey said he will not hesitate to subject himself to the decision of the party and admonished other aspirants to do same.
“I feel I’m the best person for the office at the moment. Why? (Because) I’m a grassrooter. I am known to the people. The people are in touch with me. We reach out and that is what we’re known for. So, we want to go to the House (of Assembly) to further that.
First and foremost, what Delgans are going to benefit from my representation is that they’re going to have easy access”, he said.
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
