PDP not playing opposition role properly – Abdulsalami

By Aideloje Ojo Minna–

A former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not properly played credible opposition role in the current political dispensation and governance of the country.

Abubakar stated this while receiving a chieftain of the party, Raymond Dokpesi, who visited him at his residence in Minna yesterday.

He challenged PDP to assume proper opposition role, saying though no political party could remain in power forever, the main purpose of any party, whether in governance or in opposition, was to serve the people.

Abdulsalami said while the party in governance holds the “shots”, the opposition “checks the shots being fi red to ensure that the right thing is done,” adding that the party should be driving force of governance.

“I must say it is very sad that you have not played your role properly in opposition,” he said.

“May be you are suffering from the shock of defeat, but I thought that at least six months down

the line will have been enough to come out of the shock, to really face the governance.

“It would have been enough to perform your role in giving a credible opposition which I am afraid you have not done.

You being one of the major parties in Nigeria and found yourself in opposition; since you did not perform that function, the smaller parties also found themselves in this way.

“I am happy now you are waking up and I hope this is the end of acrimony within your party.

You will now come and build formidable party that will play the role of opposition.

” He expressed the hope that from experience and lessons learnt during the PDP leadership crisis, the party would “now mend fences and continue to be a dominant party in Nigeria’s politics.

Abudulsalami also advised PDP leaders and members, especially the aspirants for positions, to go to the December national convention without bitterness.

“If I am right, there are about fi ve or six of you interested in the chairmanship position.

You have your visions and aspirations which legitimately as politicians, you have the right to play a role not only in your party but in governing the country.

“I do hope that you will go through this convention without bitterness because you have seen what rancour caused the party.

” Earlier, Dokpesi had said that though he had not formally declared his ambition, he was in Minna to seek Abubakar’s blessings and support to his aspiration of becoming the national chairman of PDP.

He said in spite of Abubakar’s desire to rest after ruling the country, his wealth of experience and inspirations were still needed.

“My group and I believe in the unity, stability and indivisibility of Nigeria.

We believe in united Nigeria and in harnessing the efforts and the dreams of our heroes like you.

“We want to use the PDP which you graciously approved, to mobilise Nigerians towards unity.

We want the prosperity which you dreamt up to be transformed to reality still in your life time so that you can say this is my effort and contribution to the wellbeing of Nigeria.

Dokpesi commended the contributions of Abubakar to the unity, stability and democracy Nigerians were currently enjoying.

“It was as a result of the sacrifice you made during your days as military officer and as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, that in 1999, you handed over to a democratically-elected government.

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