Speaking during an appearance on Arise News on Wednesday, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, argued that the move was taken to strengthen the party and ensure stability.
READ ALSO:
Why I Dumped PDP For APC - Edo Speaker, Agbebaku Explains
Ologunagba asserted that no individual is bigger than PDP, insisting the party vindicated itself by zoning its ticket to the south.
READ ALSO:
ADC Crisis: Nwosu Links INEC Decision to Jagaban Politics | READ WHY
"No one individual is vindicated. If anything, it is the party that has been vindicated. After the 2023 elections, we reviewed our processes, identified the gaps, and made the necessary adjustments. That is why Nigerians are now seeing renewed unity and excitement within the PDP,ÔÇØ he said
READ ALSO:
Yusuf Buhari Declares Interest In House Of Representatives Seat -
He stressed that the party's decision was in line with the founding principle that the presidential candidate should rotate between the North and South, adding that all stakeholders, including the PDP Governors' Forum, National Executive Committee (NEC), Board of Trustees (BoT), and state chapters, were united behind the resolution.
READ ALSO:
Nigeria: Supreme Court Set to Decide ADC Leadership Battle | SEE DATE
"The NEC, after all consultations, decided to maintain stability by keeping positions in the North where they are, retaining positions in the South where they are, and zoning the presidency to the South. This was about fairness and unity, not glorifying an individual,ÔÇØ he added.
READ ALSO:
PHOTO-NEWS (NCC): Nigerian Telecom Leadership Summit Holds In Lagos
He insisted that the PDP was never in an 'intensive care unit,' contrary to comments made by Senator Gabriel Suswan, a former governor of Benue State.
READ ALSO:
HEARTBREAKING: 68-year-old woman dies of COVID-19 in Nigeria
According to him, the party has only gone through challenges similar to those faced by any organisation but has since 'recalibrated' to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 polls.
READ ALSO:
Why I Visited Gov. Wike - Peter Obi Reveals, Amid Speculations | READ DETAILS
"The party was never in the ICU. Do we have challenges? Yes, we do, just like every human organisation. But what has emerged is the fact that the PDP has the capacity, in challenging periods, to step back, reorganise itself and take charge of its internal affairs,ÔÇØ Ologunagba said.
READ ALSO:
Olawepo-Hashim Resigns From PDP, Vows To Resist One Party State -
On the issue of discipline for members who worked against the party in 2023, he said the PDP initially prioritised reconciliation but had now reached the stage of enforcing consequences.
READ ALSO:
Benue North-East: I will be running for Senate in 2027 - Suswam
"Membership of the PDP is voluntary but comes with obligations under the constitution. We have reached the point where every member must roll up their sleeves and work for the party. Reprimands have been issued, and we expect members to comply. We want to look forward, not backward,ÔÇØ he said.
READ ALSO:
JUST IN: Many feared dead as fire guts Rivers Jetty
Ologunagba dismissed Wike's claims that he was not invited to NEC meetings, insisting that notices were sent and duly acknowledged, while additional publications were made in national dailies.
READ ALSO:
HEARTBREAKlNG [Abia]: How Precious Mathew Was Killed By Vigilante In Aba |PHOTOS
"Every stakeholder was duly informed. Specifically, Wike was invited as a NEC member, and the letter was received and acknowledged in his office. Notices were also published in several newspapers. So, to say he was not invited is simply not true,ÔÇØ he clarified.
