National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, says the party is not just looking to regain power at the center, but also to sweep national executive and legislative elections.
Markarfi made the remarks Tuesday while formerly receiving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently returned to the party.
The Caretaker Chairman had conferred with Atiku in his office at the party’s national secretariat before leading him to be received at the National Executive Committee (NEC) hall where he addressed party leaders and members.
Welcoming Abubakar back to the PDP, Makarfi said he had returned in good time, adding that PDP would continue to consult with him.
He urged him to continue to contribute in reinventing and remodeling of the party so that it could reclaim Aso Rock in 2019.
“We are not just targeting Aso Rock, we are targeting the federal legislature, the states, both executive and legislature. We are targeting the local governments.
“We want to sweep elections all across the party. As a united party we have the capacity and we have the ability to do so,” Makarfi said.
Earlier in his remarks, Atiku who was making his first appearance at the party’s national secreatriat since his return, called on past leadership of the party to return “home” like he has done.
“Let me pay tribute to past leadership of this great party; wherever they may be and to call on them to please return home as I have done.
“It is only by their returning home that we will build a stronger, more united party that can again return to government and continue to deliver the dividends of democracy,” he said
The former vice president disclosed that his return was to help continue with the reform and re-branding of the party which the national caretaker committee had started.
“We should remember that those of us, who founded this party, founded it on the principles of democracy, good governance, unity of this country and prosperity of its people.
“Over the years, like any or every human organisation, it has faced its challenges but I want to pay tribute to those who have stayed steadfast through thick and thin to see us through to this point.
“Now that we have learnt our lessons, I hope that we will be guided by the lessons we have learnt.
“And, that is to make sure that we build an all-inclusive party, where every part of this country will have a sense of belonging and sense of participation.
“To achieve all these, there must be sacrifices, understanding and compromises in the process, and that is what I speak to members to imbibe.”
