Secondus declares no victor, no vanquished stance on convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Uche Secondus, said yesterday that his immediate task would be to reconcile all aggrieved elements in the party.

He said that restoring unity would boost the opposition party’s task of removing the All Progressives Congress (APC) from government in 2019.

Secondus who stated this while taking over from Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee, expressed optimism that the reconciliation efforts would yield fruit.

“By the special grace of God, elections have come and gone and I declare to you that there is no victor, no vanquished. Our first assignment will be to bring all and sundry together, that is reconciliation. We reassure leaders of our party, especially those who contested this election. We have already started work and by the grace of God, it will be productive.”

The PDP chairman also said that the new leadership would open the party’s door to all those willing to return to it or are seeking to join.

He stated: “As I walked in through the gate, it was symbolic; I asked that the gate be thrown open. I hereby declared the gate to this party open to all our people irrespective of their religious beliefs, their class. They are free to come into the party especially those who left for one reason or the other.”

Describing the ruling APC as a failed party, Secondus said he would not want the PDP to be distracted by what he called the propaganda of the ruling party.

According to him, the free, fair and transparent manner the recent elective national convention was conducted is a clear indication that the party is ready to reclaim power in 2019.

He promised to decentralize powers at the national level by devolving more to states and zonal levels to resolve crisis in their zones.

The chairman stated that the PDP is set to take over power and rebuild the country.

“We will make sure that there is no more imposition. We will make sure that the era of impunity has come and gone and we want to warn our leaders and ourselves that with this take over today, let us not misuse the word, impunity. It has come and gone.
“The old order is gone. We will operate in the new order. There will be transparency in primaries.”

Earlier, Makarfi urged the new NWC members to reconcile aggrieved members of the party and prepare a solid foundation for the party’s takeover from APC at the 2019 elections.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, has congratulated Secondus, and other elected members of the new executive of the party.