Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has advised members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to make sure the best candidates are elected for office of the party’s National Working Committee at the December convention.
Jonathan said this when he received an aspirant for the party’s national chairmanship position, Raymond Dokpesi, in his residence in Abuja on Tuesday, October 17, 2017.
He warned that the party could not afford to make mistake in choosing its next national chairman and publicity secretary, describing them as “very delicate positions’’.
“This time around we need a very courageous and vocal person to be the chairman.”
“There are two positions that we must not make mistake on – the positions of the national chairman and that of the national publicity secretary, because I have worn the shoes before and I know where it pinches.”
“If we make a mistake as a party and elect wrong chairman and publicity secretary, we are finished,” Mr. Jonathan said.
He said that PDP at this moment, needed courageous chairman, who in the face of persecution, would remain courageous to protect the party’s interest and defend democracy.
He said, “We need very competent person and a team player, somebody who will not negotiate to get money from the aspirants to make them candidates.
“If you do that, you have destroyed the party because a party must come up with programmes and policies that will elect the best of the best.
“If you present the best material, the chances of your winning election are stronger than when you present a wrong material.
“We need such kind of chairman that will galvanise the national committee and also link up with state committees and do the best for the party.
“This is key so that by 2019 when we go for the general elections, PDP will have majority in the states and national assemblies and of course, PDP must win the presidency.”
Mr. Jonathan, who said that the December convention would be keenly contested, urged chairmanship aspirants to see the exercise as a family affair.
“Whatever comes out, as faithful loyalists of the party, you should accept it. So, whoever is going to contest should have that in mind.
Mr. Jonathan went ahead to pray for Mr. Dokpesi in his aspiration to become PDP chairman and described him as “a member who has done well for the party’’.
He said that Mr. Dokpesi had used his resources to support the party, and “has shown so much commitment to the affairs of the party.”
Earlier, Mr. Dokpesi urged Mr. Jonathan to ensure that the PDP came out of the December convention stronger and united.
He commended the former president’s resilience and efforts in ensuring that the party’s leadership crisis was resolved.
“I am very positive that this party must come out of December elective national convention stronger and united to be able to give the needed opposition to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“As our leader, you have to look for means to ensure that we come out of the forthcoming convention stronger and united,” he said.
Mr. Dokpesi also visited a former PDP national women leader and former minister, Inna Ciroma, who is also vying for the post of deputy national chairperson (North) and her husband, Adamu Ciroma.
