By Jude Opara, Abuja

Consensus National Chairmanship nominee of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has said his mission as leader of the main opposition party would be to rebuild hope and trust among Nigerians and make the country great again.

“We don’t need Military dictators, we can rebuild trust, rebuild hope and make Nigeria great again.

“Nigerians should not lose faith in Nigeria.

The former Senate President in the aborted Third Republic spoke at his Maitama-Abuja residence, when he received a delegation of Academics, professionals and political associates from  Benue state, led by Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Canada, Prof Iyorwuese Hagher.

Stakeholders of PDP from  19-Northern states had last week picked Ayu, as consensus candidate of the PDP for National Chairmanship at the forthcoming National Convention scheduled for October 30  in Abuja.

The Sole National Chairmanship candidate  said his adoption was a clear indication that Nigeria was not as divided as perceived in some quarters.

Citing his cordial relationship with some reputable political leaders from the North, who were of Fulani extraction, Ayu said said there was doubt about their commitment to the unity of Nigeria just as  he said nobody could fault previous Presidents of the country like Alhaji Shehu Shagari  and Umaru Yar’Adua about their commitment to development of Nigeria.

He, however, blamed the current polarization of the country along religious and ethnic lines to failure of leadership by the Buhari administration.

For instance, he faulted the Al Progressives Congress(APC)-led Federal Government for appointing only two Christians out of 28 Ministers from the North to head Ministries of Women Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Duties and observed that similar acts by the Buhari administration were creating more divisions among the people.

He regretted that majority of Fulani people in the North, whom he described as “good people” were being maligned because of the   actions of a few people in governmental positions in the present dispensation.

Ayu, who previously served as Ministerin various Ministries said it was disheartening that the distortions in the nation’s economy were eclipsing the private sector  and creating more poverty  and “massive hunger” in the land.

“The private sector is suffering most because there is no proper planning in the economy. You cannot plan with the naira tumbling everyday. We must come together and utilize the youth, the human resource to rebuild.

“We in PDP believe in our Youth, they have capacity and are our best asset” he stated.

The former Senate President recalled that when he served as Minister of Industry in the Obasanjo administration, it was discovered that Nigeria had about 5,000 Medical Consultants in the US alone and also had similar number of medical and health professionals in UK and South Africa.

These professionals, he said would be attracted back to develop the country as he ws hopeful to lead PDP to reclaim power at the centre.

He said PDP was poised to return to power at the centre with him as National Chairman as the leadership, which recently assiled the party was over.

“The crisis is over and there is no bickering in the party. The  national party positions are being filled by consensus. We will build on that as soon as the convention is over, Ayu pledged” and assured that “the original PDP people who migrated to APC will come back.”

He solicited prayers from religious leaders in the country to enable the PDP succeed in its mission to rebuild the nation.

Leader of delegation and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Mexico and High Commissioner to Canada, Prof Hagher said the meeting was to “rejoice with you as you gain momentum to emerge as National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) at the next convention of the party.”

         “Today is a moment of history. True and qualitative change is here at last. We are encouraged that the change we desire and need in our country will come   through a genuine patriot, an uncompromising defender of the sanctity of democratic governance and selfless political leader, whose presence is unmistakable on the political firmament of our great country,” Hagher stated.

He said “the progressive -minded people of Nigeria” had seen the in-coming National Chairman, with qualities of a great leader.

“You are always called upon at the nation’s trying moments and you have never disappointed.

“Many years ago, when you held the high office of President of the Senate, you were called upon to defend democracy. You stood firmly for the actualization of the June12, 1993 election won by Chief MKO Abiola.

“This was at expense of your personal comfort and  risk to your political career. You paid the the price in various ways. But you never gave up,”  Hagher recalled.

The two-time former Minister said Ayu’s “imminent ascendency to the leadership of the PDP” was by no way his personal ambition. 

“Nigeria is not only at a crisis point, the very existence of the country is being challenged by multiple crises, violent agitations for self-determination, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping etc.

“The government of the day has failed woefully to stem the tide and the people of Nigeria are anxiously looking to a new direction for rescue. 

“We are pleased to note that at this point, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again found you worthy to lead the initiative to rescue Nigeria. Like in the past, we are very confident that you will discharge this assignment with distinction,” the prolific Author said.

He pledged the support of Benue professionals, academics and former Diplomats to avail the next Chairman their skills and experiences to successfully pilot the affairs of the party.