From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
A frontline contender for the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Engr. Conrad Terhide Utaan has stated that his desire to lead the party is to unify, rebuild and reinvigorate the party to compete victoriously in the next round of elections in the country.
Utaan stated this on Wednesday while speaking to newsmen in Makurdi after a consultation meeting with leadership of the G-14, comprising elders of the PDP from the 14 Tiv speaking local government Areas in Benue state.
The Chairmanship hopeful who noted that Nigeria is waiting for the PDP just as Nigerians are yearning for the PDP to return to power for governance in Nigeria, said “My ambition is simple.
“My desire to be PDP national chairman is to unify our party, to rebuild and reinvigorate our party and to reenergize it so that we can begin to compete again within contemporary Nigeria.”
He lamented the division within the party saying the PDP must put its house in order, reposition the party to be able to achieve the aspirations of Nigerians.
While lamenting that so many leaders of the party have become inactive and docile because of the lack of purposeful leadership, Utaan commended the current acting national chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum for keeping the party together.
He said “The current acting chairman of the party is doing well to keep the party together but then we are a party of laws and rules, a party that is ran by a constitution.
“So it is only proper that we bring the articles and the words of our constitution to bear on the leadership of the party by insisting on a smooth and seamless transition after the removal of Iorchia Ayu by the Court of competent jurisdiction of Nigeria.”
He debunked claims that he removed the former party chairman, Dr Iorchia Ayu from office saying “I did not remove Dr Iorchia Ayu. Dr Iorchia Ayu was suspended by the ward executive of the PDP in his council Ward, Ingyorov Council Ward, in Gboko.
“There was a lot of confusion because he said he wasn’t removed and the ward Chairman said he had removed him. So it was out of this confusion that I went to court to seek interpretation of our constitution, the constitution of the PDP as regards the situation.
“So what I did was courageous and it was an intervention to save the soul of the part.”
He also described as baseless and unfortunate allegations that he is being sponsored saying “I’m a team player. I believe in the survival and sustenance of a viable opposition in Nigeria to shadow Government in power. That is why I have brought myself forward, to provide an intervention for what we have in our party.”
He said when he wins the chairmanship position, his immediate task will be to unify the PDP. “Our party has lost its soul. We must return power to the people like the slogan of our party says but we can only do that if we are able to unify the party and bring out leaders back to the table. So my desire is to unify our party and rebuild it to compete in the next round of elections in Nigeria.”
Earlier, Leader of G-14, Elder Laha Dzever, said he gets excited when young people like Utaan come out for leadership positions, stressing that the party needs a chairman that would ensure that PDP comes out victorious at both the state and federal level at the 2027 general elections.
He said “Our intensions and desire is for young people to aspire for leadership positions, grow in it, mature in it and run the country or their communities in a manner that will benefit the society.
“He has consulted with us and the general view of our people is that he is welcomed and we are giving him our blessings and wish him success in the endeavour.
Another leader of G-14, Elder David
Amo, urged the chairmanship aspirant to go ahead with consultations for his aspiration, adding that since the majority of the elders were in favour of his aspirations he had no option than to file behind them.
Other speakers, Elder Atsaga Anemba, from Benue North-East (Zone A) senatorial district, former Acting Chairman of the PDP, Isaac Mffo and former chairman of the Guma LGA, Charles Torbunde, stated that Utaan was clear in his presentation and they have made their decision to support him.
