As Peoples Democratic Party prepares for its ward, Local Government and state congresses, Hon. Ejike Duruaku has appealed to the leadership of the party on the need to jettison imposition of candidates and give credence to internal democracy as the only strategic means of strengthen the political party ahead of next general elections.
Hon. Duruaku who is a chieftain of PDP in Aku ward of Okigwe Local Government area of Imo State, gave the advise at the party’s State Secretariat along Okigwe Road, Owerri, on Thursday while briefing newsmen, on the efforts the leaders of the party are making to ensure it bounce back from being an opposition political party in the State and the nation to leadership positions as earlier done.
According to him “I am not impressed the way and manner the nomination forms were sold at the State party Secretariat. I noticed that some big men in the party hijacked the forms, while some aspirants were disenfranchised by not having access to the forms even when they have the money to pay’’
The party chieftain who is also known as Ikere Okigwe regretted that most leaders of the party are not behaving as if the party is in opposition and things must be done with love and unity of purpose so as to attract sympathy and acceptance from the masses.
He canvassed the need for an all inclusive party administration, noting that imposition of candidates and harmonization of list remains the “evil” that will tear the party apart if adequate care is not taken to install party discipline, justice and democracy process.
Duruaku pointed out that “one major enemy of the political party is lack of internal democracy and PDP will never survive the idea of imposition of candidates.
“PDP leaders and members must be careful not to mess up the forth coming congresses. This will definitely make or mar them. People will appreciate the position entrusted to them if they are allowed to buy forms, campaign and at the end, internal democracy is embarked upon. The loser will be happy to embrace the winner but were one or few leaders’ sit in their bedroom and determine who gets what, it is an aberration that will kill PDP and it will not work. The people have shined their eyes” he assured
Ikere Okigwe as he is popularly called also cautioned against people staying in their wards and try to harmonize other people’s wards, he insisted that harmonization which he observed as unconstitutional can only be acceptable when entire people agreed.
He insisted that what the newly amended constitution of PDP endorsed is full blown democratic processes so that the aspirants will test their popularity and acceptability and reiterated the need against imposition and impunity.
Duruaku who described himself as an apostle of democracy predicted that if PDP mismanaged the forth coming congresses that the political party will remain in perpetual opposition as many of her members will enmasse decamped to APC or APGA or any other political parties to pursue their ambition.
On the issue of administration of Senator Hope Uzodinma, he described the Governor as a Governor of the Supreme Court and not that of APC and enjoined Imo citizens on the need give him maximum support, respect and cooperation nothing that God has a reason for every purpose.
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