The Forum of Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State has congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman-elect, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, on his emergence at the party’s national convention held on Saturday in Ibadan.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), clinched victory at the convention, which took place at the main bowl of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, where delegates from states of the Federation gathered to elect new members of the party’s National Working Committee.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the forum, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, and released by the Public Relations officer, Hon. Ibrahim Akintayo, the Oyo LG chairmen urged Turaki to deploy his leadership to initiate reforms that would restore internal democracy and curb impunity within the party.
They acknowledged the enormity of responsibility attached to his new role but expressed confidence in the party’s renewed direction. The forum urged Turaki to hit the ground running to ensure victory for PDP in the coming state and national elections
” We call on the new national chairman
to hit the ground running and avoid distractors like former Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike, Ayo Fayose, and their cohorts, who had been a spanner in the wheel for the party, dragging the party through needless crises, which are aimed at keeping the non-performing Tinubu-led administration in power.
His election as the new party chairman of the PDP is a true reflection of the resilience and commitment of the PDP Governors, stakeholders, and members across the states. Therefore, the responsibility placed on Turaki is to go out with his new executive and restore the party’s glory.
“It is equally important for the new National Chairman to see himself as a pacifier, unifier and, as a matter of urgency, reach out to PDP members who have aligned with the coalition, joined other parties and encourage their return to the PDP.”
” The responsibility before Turaki is clear: together with his new executive team, he must work decisively to restore the party’s glory and strengthen its position nationwide”.
The forum, in its statement, commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of delegates and other stakeholders throughout the convention, describing it as a sign of the party’s readiness for genuine reconciliation and restructuring.
The LG chairmen also endorsed the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; and seven other prominent party leaders over alleged anti-party activities.
Hon. Akintayo, noting that the motion for their expulsion, moved by PDP founding father, Chief Bode George, and seconded by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, was long overdue, and it would serve as a warning for any members who are poised to derail the unity of the party.
They stated that the decision would strengthen party discipline and reaffirm the PDP’s identity as the only political party in Nigeria that has consistently upheld its original ideological foundation since its inception.
They described the decision to expel the affected individuals as a welcome development and an important step toward placing the party on the right path, restoring internal cohesion, and positioning it for electoral victory.
The forum thereafter called for the need for dedication and unwavering support from party members across the states, assured all PDP members that better days lie ahead, and those who remained loyal would eventually reap the benefits when the tides turned in PDP’s favour.
