Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on Saturday, called for unity among members of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He asserted that its strength lies in the ability of the members to remain united in the face of adversities.
Governor Mohammed made the assertion at a one-day PDP retreat for elected officials in Bauchi, adding that the party remained resilient in the face of challenges.
According to the Governor, the party’s conflicts with its governors and among members only serve to not only divide it and members but also undermine their shared objectives.
“Despite the challenges we face as an opposition party, we must remain resilient and united in our pursuit of the interest of our constituencies.
“We must also exchange this unity to both people we agree with and the people we differ with.
“Conflicts with the governors and within our ranks, serve only to divide us and undermine our shared objectives.
“Our governors are partners in progress and it is by working with them not against them that we can effect the desired change,” Mohammed said.
He informed that the retreat was organised with a view to strategizing on how PDP members could drive the party and the nation toward a prosperous future and development.
In his address at the event, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election and a former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said PDP’s performance in the last elections was not enough to earn the party the majority in the National Assembly.
Despite this, Atiku said party members do not have to lose hope, saying that they must prepare themselves to work as an effective and constructive opposition.
He added that they should also prepare for the possibility of taking up the role of the majority party when the cases are resolved at the election tribunal.
“Don’t ever lose hope. The role of the opposition is holding the government in majority to account and in doing so, you demonstrate that you and your party are ready to govern at the shortest possible time,” the former vice-president said.
Dignitaries present at the one-day retreat included the Acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Aliyu Damagum; former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi; Senator Dino Melaye; former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, former governors Babangida Aliyu, Waziri Tambuwal and Senator Abdul Ningi.
Also in attendance were Governors Umar Fintiri (Adamawa); Umo Bassey Eno (Akwa Ibom); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta); Godwin Obasaki (Edo) who was represented by his deputy, Philip Shuaibu; Ademola Adeleke (Osun); Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau); Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers); Agbu Kefas (Taraba); Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
