A former minister of Foreign Affairs and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Tom Ikimi has raised the alarm over plans to destroy the PDP in the south south by a handful of persons who proclaim to be members of the party.
Ikimi made the disclosure in Benin during a stakeholders meeting organised by the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee, which was chaired by former governor Lucky Igbinedion and attended by leaders including PDP Candidate in the September 21st Edo Governorship election, Barr. Asue Ighodalo.
Ikimi, who lauded the commitment of genuine party members, said the only way forward for the country now is the survival of PDP as the main opposition party to check the ruling APC excesses.
Ikimi, who recounted who the APC came into existence following alliance with other political parties noted that the APC was hijacked by some forces who are not working for the interest of Nigerians, but desperately working to destroy the PDP.
While maintaining that Nigerians must not support the trend of a one party system, Ikimi said desperate efforts to destroy the PDP is in top gear and warned against turning the country to become a one party dictatorship pledging that ” the only way for the country is the survival of the PDP.”
“My assessment is that the APC was hijacked by some forces and converted into a structure that was not of the best interest of our nation. We are all witnesses of their operations so far and indeed the disaster that we are going through. That party is now a collection of people possessing only personal interests.
“Take a look at the United States. When the Republicans do not serve the proper purpose, the Democrats take over, and in the UK, that is the same situation between Labor and the Conservatives.
“Despite the grave difficulties that our country faces today under the APC, it seems that all we are now presented with are just the desperate efforts to destroy the PDP so that the country may become a one party dictatorship.
” It is very clear to me that the only way forward for our country now is the survival of the PDP. History will certainly be kind to all of you gathered here. With the successful and appropriate adjustments at the highest leadership level, which I see now ongoing, I believe all will be well with the PDP and our country in a not too distant future. “Ikimi said.
He added that the party would become stronger after the crisis, saying, “In Edo State, the PDP lost the State in 2007/8. After that loss for about 13 years, it had a rather failed leadership in the state that could not win any elections.
“Thank God some leaders stepped in. Many of them are with us here today and delivered the state back to PDP in 2020. In 2024, as you all know, our distinguished candidate, Barr Asue Ighodalo, with his running mate Barr. Osarodion Ogie won the election, hands down. We are still pursuing the retrieval of their genuine mandate.
“I am confident that in the end, justice will prevail. There are a handful of persons who proclaim to be members of our party, but in reality, they are agents of some other people with incredible personal ambitions. These persons have fought to tear down our party during the past four years or so.
” It is now crystal clear that some of them who claimed to lead the party in Edo State from 2007 to 2019 or so spent that whole time working seriously against the party. “he said.
Ikimi, who noted that Edo State is a key state in the South South Region, said the South South region has been a key PDP region with all the 6 states in PDP for a long time.
He lamented that, “Unfortunately, once again, we have some persons with personal ambition who are committed to destroying the PDP unity and strength in the South South region for a mess of portage.
” It was indeed a very welcome development when very recently the Supreme Court ruled that the leadership structure and management of political parties remains the internal affairs of each party.
“The National Working Committee of our party has quite appropriately established caretaker committees to operate the running of our party in states where such structures are necessary which incidentally includes Edo State.
“Recently, there was an illegal conference held in a hotel in calabar where the group involved claimed they were electing a new PDP South South Exco. To cut a long story short, the NWC had since dissociated itself from the charade. The NWC has, since then, established a caretaker committee for the South South led by Hon Emma Ogidi. The recent activities of members of that illegal group are indeed very highly offensive. “Ikimi stated.
Ikimi, who said that the PDP stakeholders meeting is very important , added that the meeting conveys a very clear message to the country that the PDP in Edo State is strong and vibrant.
Ikimi cautioned all those who are now fully in the opposing party but pretending to still be in PDP to desist saying their actions amount to performing criminal acts.
Ikimi said that the APC attack on the South South region has been intense recently following the defection of the Delta State Governor to APC and the defection of his predecessor, Dr Ifeany Okowa to the APC .
“I am aware of the route we took in the PDP to give Gov Sherrif Oborevwori the ticket of our party as well as to give his predecessor the Vice Presidential ticket. All that I can say now is that it is indeed very early to express too much regrets.
” It is not out of place to say that the people of Delta have not yet spoken recalling that in 2023 PDP lost Delta massively to Senator Peter Obi of Labour Party, a candidate with no governor at that time.”
