Address by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ,Uche Secondus on the occasion of the Emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting of the Party at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on April 19, 2018.
State of the Nation
As you must have been following the nation’s political terrain, since our last meeting, you will agree with me that all is not yet well with our nation. The situation in our country is very disturbing as the ruling APC has continued to show in all ramifications that it lacks the wherewithal to manage this country.
The ugly incident in the nation’s Senate on Wednesday 18th April, 2018 more than anything else underscores the fact that our democracy is seriously under threat.
Nigerians and international community watched horrified as the spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari’s support Group in the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agage led thugs into the hallowed chambers of the nation’s senate to steal the mace the authority of the Senate and kidnapped a Senator.
That these hoodlums passed through all the security checks and majestically worked into the chambers to cause such havoc leaves much to chew to all discerning minds.
As the President and APC leaders globe throttle meeting World leaders the legislative arm of the government, in fact the main symbol of democracy the legislature is being vandalised by agents sponsored by the government.
What happened in the Senate yesterday is a clear assault on democracy, a coup against the legislature and should not only be condemned but those responsible should be tried for treason as demanded by the law.
Herdsmen brazenly invade our homes and farms, rape, maim and kill our people daily, and thugs do the same in our parliament yet we have a government
This obnoxious development has placed enormous challenge on us as the main opposition party to up our game and quickly rescue this country from the appalling APC administration.
Majority of Nigerians who are disillusioned about the state of affairs in the last three years, are excited that we are trying to get it right as we remain the last hope for our democracy.
We have also noted with disbelief, the continued de-marketing of this country by the President each time he travels outside the country. This time he chose to abuse and deride our hard-working youths as lazy, a remark that is not only embarrassing but untrue. Our youths are not lazy, they are resourceful and indeed they are our future leaders.
On the 30th of April, 2018, our President is scheduled to meet with the President of the United States of America in Washington, the home of democracy and free speech, but back home in his country; anti-democratic weapons are being deployed against the Nigerian people.
We commend our elder statesmen and other patriotic Nigerians who have spoken up on the urgent need to rid the country of the current bad APC government and enthrone a government that will serve our needs.
ALL HANDS MUST BE ON DECK to achieve the great task of removing this APC government and replacing it with a government that will the hope and aspirations of Nigerians.
Widening our Scope
Because of this challenge, we have taken it upon ourselves as the leading opposition party to broaden our scope, open our doors and allow ideas to flow in for a more robust democratic development. We therefore, invitee our brother, sister, youths and women from other political parties in this platform to join us to rescue our country that is in distress, socially, politically, economically and security wise. In this country today over 3.1m citizens are languishing in various IDPs across the country yet we are not at war with any country.
Our consultations have taken us to meet with various interest groups who are willing to do business with us and I can report to you that it has very fruitful. We expect in coming days to have a broader political family working dedicatedly to rescue this democracy and our beloved country from the hands of APC.
Reconciliation And Peace building
Since peace and unity in the party is key to realizing any of our aspirations particularly winning the Presidency, a peace and reconciliatory efforts were catalysed. Permit me at this juncture therefore to place on record the yeoman role of the Chairman of our reconciliatory Committee His Excellency, Governor Seraike Dickson of Bayelsa state who has submitted his committee report to the NWC. Also for special mention here is the former Senate President David Mark whose committee on Ekiti state has also been submitted. Just yesterday myself, Senator Mark and members of NWC were in Ado Ekiti to put flesh to the recommendations and I can proudly report to you that Ekiti PDP is approaching July gubernatorial election as one huge family. I must not forget to commend Governor Ayodele Fayose and other leaders of the party in Ekiti state for their cooperation. We have also began the same process for Osun state where a successful congress was conducted and peace building process put underway ahead of September gubernatorial election in that state.
Conclusion.
As I end this address to you great leaders of our party, permit me to leave you with this quote from the 54th Speaker of the American House of Representatives Pau Ryan and he says
“Moving from an opposition party to a governing party comes with growing pains. And, well, we’re feeling those growing pains today. Doing big things is hard. All of us. All of us, myself included, we will need time to reflect on how we got to this moment, what we could have done to do it better”