Senator Walid Jubril: PDP Not For Sale

The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jubril, said in Abuja on Friday that the party was not for sale.

In a goodwill message to the inauguration of the party’s national convention and financial committees, Jubril said there were moves to reconcile its feuding parties and that the BoT would ensure that credible and upright people were elected.

He said: “The party is facing a very difficult time in its history and has tampered with the ideals and formations of the founding fathers.

“We have been playing, the party is supreme, the party is above all of us.

“If you read our constitution, it solves all these problems, but today we are facing a myriad of court cases.

“We are, however, looking at reconciliation chaired by Prof. Jerry Gana so we can look into the arguments and by God’s grace, before the convention, settle these matters.

“We do hope that justice will be done and people will come to their senses.

“We’ve passed the era of impunity, selfishness and will go by fairness and justice.”

Jubril said the party was not for sale, adding: “We are going to elect upright and honest people who cannot be bought over, who will lead us.

“The BOT will not accept anyone brought in by force.

“We will give everyone a chance to elect the leader of their choice.”

Inaugurating the committees, the Chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said the decision to zone the chairmanship to the South West was not to exclude anyone.

Makarfi said: “Our role is to put the committee in place and inaugurate, not to assign roles.

“Zoning is not to exclude you.

“It is important that members participate effectively because the activities of the sub-committees will produce a quality convention.

“It is important we are fair, just and play fairly.

“If zoning does not favour you and you think you have a fair chance of winning, it is up to you to campaign on your own, get delegates and go into the election.”

Accepting the committees, the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Iliya, said: “The PDP remains the most formidable and greatest party in Africa.”

In another goodwill message, the Deputy Senate Minority Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi, assured the gathering of support from legislators at all time.

Olujimi said: “We want you to know that we are in support of the BOT and the caretaker committee.

“The challenges we have do not destroy us.

“The only thing that will mark us out is rising above the challenges.

“We are coming out strong and showing the people that this party remains the vehicle to take us back.”

The party’s National Convention is billed to hold on August 17 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The disputed Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, had repeatedly said the convention would not hold as the courts have ruled it illegal.