Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has said that millions of Nigeria across the country, still believe in him and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of 2019.
Jonathan made this remark at the expanded National caucus of the party, held on Monday night, at Wadata House, Abuja.
Post-Nigeria could recall, that last night’s meeting was the first time the PDP caucus met, after the Supreme Court last Wednesday, dislodged Ali Modu-Sheriff as the Chairman of the opposition party.
While speaking, Jonathan said: “Nigerians still believe in me and the PDP, because when the Supreme Court judgement was given, I was so surprised that some people called and sent text messages to me.
“They are not even Politicians, but they are so happy that PDP has come on stream, because they were worried that PDP will go down.
“So, if people who are not even members of PDP are happy that PDP has now gotten a platform to operate, in spite of the negative propaganda against us, it means people still believe in PDP. It is a party that Nigerians still believe in,” Jonathan said.
He appealed to party members to rebuild it, and gave the assurance that many people who stepped aside from the party as a result of its leadership crisis, would return.
“The first thing we need to do is to rebuild the party, because when the party is strong, everything will be added to that.
“Whether you have individual or group interest, as a Politician, you must serve. These are very basic things, but first and foremost, we must strengthen the party.
“Let us cooperate with the Caretaker Committee, and make sure that PDP is very cohesive. And when that happens, people who stepped aside may step back.’’
He explained that the party may not need to go on a voyage to discover people, but that people themselves will come back on their own, as the party gets stronger.
“It will attract all the people that are interested,” he said.
The Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, said only a miracle would stop the PDP from regaining power in 2019.
Makarfi said the meeting was convened to chart the way forward for the party.
“We call this caucus before the meeting of other organs. You are our party leaders.
“Immediately judgment was delivered, I said no victor nor vanquished, and we mean it.”
Present at the meeting were: David Mark, Remi Bakare, Stella Omu, Godswill Akpabio, Nyesom Wike, Sule Lamido, Ahmadu Ali, and also Uche Secondus.
Others were: Olisa Metuh, Jonah Jang, Jerry Gana, Grace Bent, Gabriel Suswam, Emmanuel Udom, Ifeanyi Okowa, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and Darius Ishyaku
The other persons were: Jonah Jang, Tom Ikimi, Vincent Ogbulafor, Jim Agbaje, Solomon Ewuga, Liyel Imoke, Ibrahim Mantu, Emeka Ihedioha, Dimeji Bankole.
