PDP Will Bounce Back, Rule For 60 Years, IBB Replies OBJ

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), yesterday, reacted to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s damning statement on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that it remains the strongest party in Africa, and will rule the country again for 60 years.

He said that the current crisis that has bedeviled the party is a test, but expressed optimism that the PDP will overcome it and come out stronger. This comment is contrary to the submission of Chief Obasanjo, when he said, “When Ahmadu Ali left, the fortunes of PDP began to sink.

Whether you believe it or not, PDP is sunk and gone. May the fortunes of Nigeria not be like that of the PDP.” But IBB, while speaking at his Hilltop residence when the Prof. Jerry Ganaled Committee on Strategy and Inter-Party Affairs, came to brief him as one of the founding fathers of the PDP on the outcome of their findings, he said some of the retired military officers formed the military wing of the PDP for the party to rule for 60 years. “The PDP remains the only acceptable party to Nigerians at all level, regardless of religious or tribal affiliation.

The concept of the PDP to rule for 60 years is from the formation stage. I saw the PDP as IRA (Irish Republican Army). We are the military wing of the PDP. “We took a lot of interest, when I say we, I mean my boss, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma; Olusegun Obasanjo; myself; Gen. Aliyu Mohammed, we started it. “I termed us the IRA military wing of the PDP. I thank God we came up with the old concept. I believe one of our compatriots who said PDP will rule for 60 years.

“I believe when the party overcomes this challenge, it has the capacity to rule the country for the next 60 years. This is because the PDP has been accepted from top to bottom because its presence has been felt and accepted by the people. “But you still need to work very hard to get to the top again.

I am happy that you people are trying to put the PDP back together again, and I still believe that twoparty system is the right choice for Nigeria because it gives room for choice,” he said. The former leader claimed that the PDP was the only political party, whose presence had been felt, known and accepted by the people.

“PDP’s presence is felt not only in Abuja or Lagos, but down to the lowest level. If you go to the grassroots, the ordinary man will talk about PDP; that is the asset the party has and should use to spring back to reckoning..”

On the existence of two major parties in the country, he said “My earlier suggestion about the practice of a two-party system is gradually coming to the fore in the country. In 1999, when I was advocating for a twoparty system, some of my colleagues had their doubts, but I told them that it provides a choice, which is the first essence of democracy.’’ Addressing journalists after a meeting that lasted for over one hour, the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed Nigeria.

He said that governance is all about the security and welfare of the people. “But as things are now, Nigerians are suffering; they cannot feel the impact of the government. There is hunger everywhere in the land. “APC as a party over promised Nigerians and now they cannot fulfill it.

They have failed Nigerians,” he said. While praying for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari, Gana said he would not want to say much, but, however, disclosed that “if not for the President’s health, I would have really given them serious punches. But I do not want to punch them hard now but the truth of the matter is that the APC has failed completely.”

He was accompanied to the Hilltop by former External Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi; former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; former Presidential Adviser Political, Prof. Ahmed Rufai Alkali; former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran and Chief Raymond Dokpesi, while the entire PDP executives in Niger State, led by its chairman, Mr. Tanko Beji, were present.