Johnson Enyiangho, Abuja

Former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has advised those who wish to defect from the main opposition- Peoples Democratic (Party) PDP to leave now.

Sakari said this would allow those who chose to remain in the party to concentrate on rebuilding it to play the role of a viable opposition that will provide a better alternative for the good of Nigerians.

Reacting to the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his cabinet, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP chieftains in the state, Saraki stated that the development has vindicated his stance of remaining silent and watch events unfold.

“I have seen that there was no sincerity with supposed leaders of the opposition.

One was not sure of the next person one was talking to.

“My view is that those who want to leave the PDP should leave now and let the rest of us who want to stay concentrate on rebuilding the party and refocusing it to play the role of a viable opposition that will provide a better alternative for the good people of Nigeria.

“Those who want to leave the party should go and let those of us remaining have a clear view of who we are talking to and where their political loyalty lies. All we need is for those who want to stay back in PDP to show commitment and we can all work to rebuild the party,” the former Senate President said.

Saraki added, “It is unbecoming and shocking for the running mate to the standard bearer of a leading party to abandon ship to join the ruling party. This is unprecedented and nobody should try to justify such an act with the talk of being put under pressure. It is simply a sign of how low we have sunk as a polity. The country is experiencing a collapse of leadership values.”

Saraki said it is important for Nigerians to work for the sustenance of democracy, pointing out that to sustain democracy, there must be viable choices for people at every point.

He insisted that there must be a viable opposition to keep people’s hope alive and create credible alternatives to keep the government on its toes.

“A one-party state as being disingenuously designed by some people will not augur well for a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and highly diversified society like ours. It is even more dangerous when we eliminate alternatives and make people hopeless.

“Therefore, it is in the interest of Nigeria and the survival of our democracy for the opposition to be vibrant and strong enough with the capacity to replace the ruling party at any point. Thus, my charge to our party members is that the PDP is merely experiencing a rebirth.

“Those who want to leave the party should go and let those of us remaining have a clear view of who we are talking to and where their political loyalty lies. All we need is for those who want to stay back in PDP to show commitment and we can all work to rebuild the party,” he said.

According to him, My appeal to PDP members nationwide is that we should know that the sustenance of democracy is not a sprint. Rather, it is a marathon. It is not a knock-out football match series. It is a league. 24 hours is a long time in politics and nobody can predict how the dynamics will evolve in the coming weeks and months.

He urged PDP members across the country not to be discouraged, disillusioned, disappointed, or demoralised by the development in Delta State, saying that they remain strong and focus on strengthening the party and not to lament why they – defectors, left.

“Our party members should also refrain from blaming our woes on the ruling party. That would be a lazy approach. They are playing politics to win elections. It is our responsibility as party members to ignore their antics and seize the moment and momentum to make our party stronger and better,” he said.

He said that he had canvassed the idea of building and strengthening institutions and not individuals, saying that with the “defection of the governor of Delta State, even if the party has only ten governors in its fold, the PDP is still in a good position to win the next round of elections.”

He said the party members should know that the PDP is better with fewer members who are loyal, sincere, determined, dedicated, and committed to its ideas, ideals, and progress “than to have so many who will identify with us in the afternoon and be romancing the ruling party in the night.”

Saraki said the two years before the next election is a long time in politics and enough time to brace up to the challenge as nothing prevents the PDP from getting some governors from the other parties to join its ranks.

“My appeal to our young party members is that this defection is just a mere challenge to us to further mobilize and put our house in order. Also, our women’s wing should seize the opportunity to help in the rebuilding mission. The PDP will come out stronger from this development.

“I am very sure the various leadership organs of our party will soon make public their reaction to this development and convey the necessary meetings to strategize on how to strongly and strategically respond to it. Therefore there is no cause for alarm.

“Our party members should not lose focus, hope, or the determination to win. We should see the current development as a challenge to rebuild and refocus the party. Tomorrow is very bright,” he said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described mass defection involving Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, other elected and party leaders in Delta to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as painful and disappointing.Acting National Chairman of PDP, Umar Damagum, made this known in Abuja at a ceremony for the issuance of Certificate of Return to Mr Jude Ezenwafor, the party governorship candidate for Anambra Governorship election.

Damagum described the mass defection as disappointing given the kind of support the party gave to the state. “It is very sad and unfortunate because to me, if there’s any state that should think that way, not Delta, because the party is very magnanimous.“I thank God that in their message, they didn’t say that the party did anything wrong to them other than good.“It’s a decision taken by them, but the pains will be in us not because of anything, but because we gave Delta all our support, from the emergence of the governor to his predecessor, who also doubled as our vice presidential candidate.“We least expected this action from them. All the same, this is a party that have seen more than that, but it’s still standing,” he said.Damagum noted that the party leadership was taking stock to set up a caretaker committee for the party in the state.“I want to use this opportunity to say, we’ll take over our structures immediately,” he said.He said that the election in 2027, would not be about how many governors a party has but it will be about Nigerians.Damagum urged all party members to close ranks and rescue Nigeria, saying no challenge is insurmountable.HeHe congratulated Ezenwafor for emerging as the party’s candidate in Anambra, express confidence of victory in the election.“I want to encourage you. You have started well. From the evolution of the state executive to your emergence as our candidate.“I think what you need to do is to go back and consolidate. I’m going to make sure that everyone is back on board. I assure you of our total support and commitment,’’ Damagum said.In his remarks, Ezenwafor expressed optimism that he would win the state election, describing Anambra as a PDP state.“All of us contesting the governorship election in Anambra State today, including the serving governor were once governorship aspirants within the PDP but as a bridge-builder, I will consolidate and move forward,” Ezenwafor said.He pledged to tackle insecurity in Anambra.“As a former senior special assistant to the governor on security, I will not take things for granted.Ezenwafor was accompanied by his wife, members of in PDP State Working Committee Anambra and campaign officials, among others. (NAN)

Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, says former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, must leave PDP immediately over alleged anti-party activities. George, in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, said, “the party is being embarrassed by the open display of affinity by the duo to the All Progressives Congress (APC)”He accused the two PDP chieftains of hobnobbing with opposition elements, saying they could not continue to claim membership of the main opposition party with their recent actions.

“What exactly is going on? Anybody who is tired of PDP should leave and join another party. Enough of this embarrassment. “As a founding elder of this party, I will not watch while some people openly disrespect the party. It is impossible,”he said. George queried why Atiku ,along wuth others, visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna . George also faulted what he called the open endorsement of President Bola Tinubu by some PDP governors and PDP leaders ahead of 2027. He said: “Nigerians are yearning for change, which only the PDP can offer because ours is the only organised party. “This is the time for the national leadership of PDP to take decisive steps to save our great party.“As a founding member of our party and statesman, I call on other elders of our party to call Atiku and Wike to order, as the two are not bigger than the PDP. “They cannot continue hobnobbing with enemies of our party and think I will keep quiet. “The truth must be told every time without minding whose ox is gored.This is the time to save our party from those undermining PDP from within.” George also faulted the involvement of Atiku in the coalition to unseat Tinubu. According to him, if Abubakar is working on a coalition with others because of 2027, he should do that outside the structure of the party. He said: “You cannot be within and be working against the interest of this party. We will never allow that. “This is the time for our party leadership to wield the big stick because nobody is more powerful than the party. “The moment we remove the liabilities in our party, we will be in a formidable position, as an opposition party, to take over power from APC at the federal level in 2027.” Also speaking on current economic challenges, George advised Tinubu to create a Special Fund account where Managing Directors of banks will deposit, at least, N20 billion each annually to alleviate the suffering of the masses. He alleged that bankers were part of the professionals who created economic hardship in the country. George queried the source of the billions of naira declared by banks as profits yearly. “There is what is called round-tripping. There is also insider abuse, hidden and fraudulent charges. All these are targeted at Nigerians. “You can’t see a bank MD in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, United Arab Emirates in private jets every other day.“Here, our Bank MDs not only charter private jets but own jets. Where are they getting the money from to maintain this type of luxury and lifestyle? “The government must look into this. Now that Tinubu is trying to lessen the burden of Nigerians, these bank MDs should be made to pay not less than N20 billion each into this special intervention fund account.” He urged the President to tackle insecurity and deal with other threats to development (NAN)