The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has called on former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, not to relent in his efforts towards the unity, stability and development of the country.
This is just as the former military leader described the PDP as the “guardrail of democracy” adding that it is time to make the “appropriate turn to salvage our dear country at the crossroads.”
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Nebo Ologunagba said the two leaders spoke when the PDP National Chairman led members of the National Working Committee and other leaders of the Party to a crucial meeting with General Babangida at his Hilltop Residence, Minna, in furtherance of PDP’s efforts to “Rescue and Rebuild the nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.
The PDP leaders informed General Babangida that they were on the visit to tap from his extensive experience and wisdom, particularly at this time that the nation is confronted with ‘worsening insecurity, divisiveness and excruciating economic hardship occasioned by the misrule of the reckless, rudderless, incompetent and corrupt APC’.
“We came to tap from your extensive experience and wisdom as a leader and one of the founding fathers of the PDP, particularly at this time that our dear country is facing so much insecurity, division and economic hardship due to the misrule of the APC. We implore you not to relent in ensuring that the unity and development of the country which you and other patriotic Nigerians fought so hard to sustain” Dr. Ayu said.
The PDP National Chairman assured the former military President that the PDP is repositioned and poised to take over governance from the APC and bring the much-desired good governance, unity and development that have eluded the nation under the APC.
Speaking, General Babangida lamented the situation in the country adding that there was no choice before Nigerians but a concerted effort to salvage the nation from its present situation.
“As the guardrail of democracy, you need to be guided by the history of the country; our past, our present conditions and an appropriate vision of a future for the millions of young people on our streets and the younger generations to follow” he said.
The former military leader further noted that what the nation needs at the moment is a leadership of “genuine democrats, those who truly connect the government and the governed and banish sycophancy, handle national security with more seriousness in all its ramifications, properly earn and retain legitimacy, and above all, bring citizens back from woes and wailing and Nigeria, to the path of nationhood and development.
“For the sake of our founding fathers and unborn generations of Nigerians, we have no choice but to make the appropriate turn to salvage our dear country at the crossroads”, General Babangida stated.
PDP leaders at the meeting include, former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, and former Deputy Governor of Niger State, Dr. Shem Zagbanyi Nuhu, former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former ministers; Prof. Jerry Gana, Hon Hassan Gimba, Hon Abubakar Achituwo and Hajiya Zainab Maina.
Others are Sen. Zainab Abdulkadir Kure, Chief Tom Ikimi, Sen. Dino Melaye, Amb Ishaya Mujambo as well as Niger State PDP Chairman, Bar. Tanko Beji and Niger State Woman Leader, Haj Sa’adatu Kolo among many others.
Members of the NWC at the meeting include the Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Umar Damagum; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe; the National Treasurer, Ahmed Mohammed and the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba.
