Ahead of the 2019 general elections, General Ibrahim Babangida, retd, former Military President, has counselled the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to give Nigerians a better alternative in the interest of the nation.
Babangida, who spoke in Minna, the Niger State capital, weekend, while receiving members of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, led by its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, also expressed satisfaction with the repositioning effort of the party, ahead of the 2019 general poll.
“I am happy at your assurances that there will be no imposition in all your primary elections. It is all about choice and you have promised to provide the best choice,” a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, quoted the retired General as saying.
Commending the party’s conduct of its elective convention, the former President noted that not a few Nigerians expressed reservations on the possibility of a credible convention during the weeks leading to the exercise.
“Your ‘Reposition, rebrand and regain’ agenda is working and I mean particularly the rebranding. Some people believed that having been in government since 1999, the PDP will find opposition difficult but you are carrying on well and providing a better alternative.
“You have also not abandoned the people in times of crisis. I monitored your activities in Benue, Taraba and you just said your party has sent members to Zamfara to commiserate with the people.
”Surely, you have made the people the centre of your return and they will not forget you because you were with them in time of sorrow,” IBB said.
Earlier, Secondus, had told Babangida that former leaders of the nation ought to come together to salvage the country from the All Progressives Congress, APC- led administration.
Secondus lamented the scourge of killings and economic hardship, which Nigerians contend with on daily basis, stressing that country had never witnessed the type of division now combing the national space.
“As a leader, you made the welfare of Nigerians the thrust of governance. You were also concerned about the peace and unity of this nation. You created and built people as well as institutions.
“Today, our nation is drifting and as leaders you cannot afford to keep quiet and watch on the sides. Leaders like you must come together and take a firm position on how to save our nation from the precipice.
“PDP remains the only alternative platform based on our experience more so because we have learnt our lessons. We have resolved to play by the rules and operate within the confines of our party’s and the Nigerian constitution.
“We are rebranding and repositioning to make our party open to all and regain the land for the people. We are determined to give opportunities to the youths and our women. We also want to mentor a new generation of young Nigerians that will take our nation to the next millennium,” Secondus said.
