Jonathan To Partymen At Convention: Stop Politics Of 2015 Now

[TGD]

 New PDP Chair, Tukur, Pledges Reforms

PRESIDENT Jonathan has warned his party men against what he called "politics of succession in 2015," as it it capable of undermining cohesion in the party.

The president, who left the PDP convention ground at the Eagle Square, Abuja, for Seoul, South Korea, said that scheming for the 2015 elections was a distraction to the government from its goal.

In an address read by the Vice President Namadi Sambo, the president said the PDP has provided the most credible national and, indeed, global platform for Nigerians to organise themselves without fear or favour.

He urged members to remain united, as the nation would soon begin to see "tangible results" of the government transformation agenda.

The newly elected chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, called on members to brace up to the myriad of socio-political challenges besetting the country.            

In his acceptance speech, he decried the incessant sectarian crises in some parts of the country, a situation he said did not augur well for Nigeria's development.

His words: "Sectarian strife has continued to occur, but without peace, we cannot live and make progress. Where we share a common dream, nothing is impossible."

While acknowledging the imperfections in any political setting, Tukur urged members to avoid working at cross-purposes, adding: "we cannot continue to cry of decay in the party if we cannot lead by example."

"We should be honest enough to tell ourselves the truth, our party is not perfect. We cannot reposition our party unless these issues and challenges are resolved including party discipline guided by clearly defined principles," he said.

At the end of the convention at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the convention chairman, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, thanked members for the rancour-free ceremony.

He noted that the convention dominated by consensus and simple 'Yes' vote, was historic and it was an opportunity for the party to reinvent itself.

For Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, who was acting national chairman until yesterday, the new officials would have to deal with some challenges that had emerged within the party, notably "funding, discipline and pressure groups."

Baraje reminded the party that at the time of handing over yesterday, there was no disciplinary committee chairman, as provided by the party constitution, a development, he said, limited efforts at disciplining erring members.

Besides, he urged the party to deal with incipience of "undesirable pressure groups" that work against its mission and vision.

He also drew attention to the tight financial situation in the party he said could lead to tying the party to the apron strings of some party members.



The Guardian