A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has charged the party leadership to conduct a transparent primary ahead of the 2027 general election.
This , he said will not only strengthen the party’ internal mechanisms but will also enhance its democratic credentials.
He welcomed the news of interest being shown in the PDP ticket by tested politicians including: former President GoodLuck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.
Hashim, said this in a statement signed by his media aide, Hassan Mahmoud, in Abuja,
on Thursday.
He described the potential re-entry of the political figures into the PDP as a welcome development, adding, “The more, the merrier.”
While describing the PDP as a truly Nigerian party, Hashim said, “The PDP was never meant to be an exclusive club. From day one, it was designed to be a national platform, a big umbrella for all shades of opinion, ideology, and aspiration.”
He recalled the formation of the party in 1998,noting that he had the privilege of serving as secretary of the publicity sub-committee which was chaired by the late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, where “a journalist first proposed the now-iconic umbrella symbol.”
He also recalled the spirit of unity and democratic competition that defined the PDP’s early days, citing the contributions of political figures including: Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Solomon Lar, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Chief Melford Okilo, Prof. Jubril Aminu, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, among others.
He said, “We had giants of Nigeria’s political class under one roof… men who could have been good President. Yet, some dropped their ambition as things developed, and others submitted themselves to a fair contest in Jos in 1999 which attracted aspirants from North and South a process which Obasanjo eventually won. .
“Those who feared competition quietly exited the founding process. But we pressed on, and Nigeria benefitted,” he noted.
The former Presidential candidate stressed that the PDP must return to its founding ethos if it intends to regain national relevance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027.
“If Jonathan, Atiku, Obi and others wish to contest, they should be welcomed. Let the best ideas and visions emerge through fair competition. That is how to build a party of the future,” he added.