Briefing Journalists in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who catalogued the achievements of the party in its 17 years of existence, said it lost some of its founding and leading members because they could not withstand what he termed, stiff competition within the party and some mistakes the party made.
Metuh who tagged his speech, ”PDP At 17..Still The Only True National Party”, said that in spite of the exit of some of its founders and leaders, the party is still in line with the vision and mission of its founding fathers.
He listed the achievements of the PDP-led administrations in economy, transportation, agriculture, healthcare, rule of law, entrenching democracy among others and wondered why the eletorate rejected the party at the polls in 2015.
PDP pioneer members and leaders, who left the party at different times include former National Chairmen, Audu Ogbeh, Barnabas Gemade and Abubakar Kawu Baraje; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Iyorchia Ayu andYahaya Kwande.
Former PDP National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Kwara state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai and their Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom among others also dumped the PDP just before the March/April general elections.
Metuh who enumerated the party’s achievements in all the sectors beginning from 1999 to date, however, said that only the voting public can explain why the PDP lost the last general elections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
”Some of those who defected could not just cope with the level of competition in the party; and some members felt that they were not well protected when they sought assistance. Others left because we lost election, others for selfish reason while some others left when they felt they were honestly not accommodated in the party.”
Metuh was the only member of the 16-man National Working Committee (NWC) on a day the party announced that it was marking its 17 years of existence.
On the causes of its loss in the last general election, Metuh said that the statement credited to the acting chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Haliru Bello, to the effect that disrespect for party rules caused its loss was not the position of the party, which he did not disclose.
Listing the achievements of the party in the last 17 years, Metu said: ”We recall with pride that the founding fathers of the PDP are heroes who rose to the challenge, stood up for million of other citizens, confronted the military and restored genuine democracy, national unity
and stability, entrenched the rule of law and enlarged the political space we all enjoy today.
“Over the years, the PDP has shown strength as the only Nigerian political party that is completely owned and controlled by the Nigerian people; with structures in all the nooks and crannies of the country; and where no individual or group of individuals can claim ownership or allowed to appropriate the interest of the generality of the members.
“This unique national outlook clearly informs PDP’s irrevocable stance on politics of national integration, which ensured that no group or section in the polity is excluded from power, public office and spread of development projects, in line with the federal character principle of our great country.
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