A member of House of Representatives, Dr Francis Ottah Agbo, Thursday congratulated former Senate President, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, on his adoption as North’s consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a press statement from Dr Otta Agbo and made available to National Record, stated.
Dr Ottah Agbo represents Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State.
Northern stakeholders of the PDP endorsed Dr Ayu as their consensus candidate for the position of the party’s National Chairman in the forthcoming October 30, 2021 national convention.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State disclosed the decision while speaking with newsmen after the stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday at Bauchi Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
The meeting, attended by the party’s leaders from the North, was to produce a consensus candidate to be ratified at the PDP national convention.
Governor Fintiri, who is also the Chairman of the PDP National Convention Organising Committee, said Dr Ayu emerged from among three aspirants presented by the three geopolitical zones. The other two contestants, former Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema, and Senator Abdul Ningi, withdrew from the race.
Fintiri said: “In the spirit of ensuring that PDP emerges and benefits from our efforts, so that we can win together for Nigerians in the 2023 general elections, Ayu has emerged as a consensus candidate of the North. With this, we are fully prepared, we are ready. We will be talking with our colleagues from other parts of the country, especially the South that they see reason for this consensus candidate and give us support during the 30 and 31 convention of the PDP.
“All of them were immensely qualified but through discussion and reconciliation, we have emerged with consensus list that was endorsed by the candidates themselves. There was no election and there was no selection.”
Ayu, in his acceptance speech, commended the party leaders for the responsibility entrusted on him. He said: “I believe at the end of the day I will not just be the northern candidate but a product of the collective will of Nigerians…
“We will work tirelessly after the convention to rebuild the party to take over power, to rebuild the country. I believe all Nigerians missed the PDP government. Our 16 years moved the country forward. We intend to work together with all the leaders not only in the north but across the country to reposition this country to the next generation of Nigerians. It will be an all-inclusive administration of the party. We will work collectively; we will introduce policies that will be acceptable to Nigerians.”
Dr Ayu called on all stakeholders to join him to reposition PDP so as to return it to the Presidential Villa in 2023. He stressed that under his leadership, no one can use money to buy his conscience and no single man will own PDP! “PDP belongs to all, not one man,” Ayu stated.
Ottah Agbo Congratulates Ayu
Dr Ottah Agbo, popularly known as the Ozigizaga and the Moving Train of En’one politics, in a statement by Mr Andrew Agbese, his Media Adviser, described the choice of Dr Ayu as apt.
While describing Ayu as a leader known to take any assignment he is given with the deserved seriousness and commitment to make a difference, Dr Ottah Agbo also said the PDP as a party committed to coming back to rescue Nigeria from the throes of insecurity, economic hardship and corruption, requires an experienced and mature mind like Dr Ayu to bear the torch for the total reorganisation of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Ottah Agbo, who is the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, said the wisdom and sagacity applied by Dr Ayu to navigate the legislature during the military era stands as a testimony to the fact that he has the required leadership quality to confront the challenges facing the party and prepare it for the task of giving Nigeria and Nigerians better leadership.
“You remember how Dr Ayu even lost his position as President of the Senate during the June 12 crisis due to his resolve to be on the side of democracy.
“Dr Ayu confronted dictatorship and stood on the side of democracy, rule of law and the people,” Ottah Agbo said as he commended the North-Central leaders of the PDP, especially Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, former Senate President, David Mark, and others for their cooperation and objectivity in picking a consensus candidate without rancour.
The lawmaker urged Dr Ayu to see Nigeria as his constituency and treat party members with the respect and courtesy he is known for, saying as one of the critical stakeholders and spokesman of the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, he assures Dr Ayu of his full cooperation and support.
