Chieftains and members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Adamawa State and Taraba States have expressed confidence in the ability of the front-line aspirant for the National Chairmanship position of the party, Otunba Gbenga Daniel to bring back key members who left the party and chart the way forward for electoral victory with his high network and political experience.
The Adamawa State Chairman of the party, Barrister Shehu A.T, while receiving the entourage of Otunba Gbenga Daniel at the party secretariat in Yola on Thursday said they were eagerly awaiting the arrival of Otunba Daniel being the only aspirant who has deemed it fit to pay them a visit and solicit their support.
“We are happy to have you here in Yola and we are glad that despite the distance and bad roads, you took the risk to visit us. You are the first among other contenders to visit us, and we really appreciate it”, he said.
He went on: “As a former Governor and someone who has contested election and won, you are the only one who understands the party and what it takes to win. We are happy to align with you and we want you to use your network to bring back former members of the party who left the party. The people here are the true representatives of the party in the state and we all here are against impunity. We have the belief that your wide connection will help woo aggrieved members back to the party and boost it’s success in coming elections.
Continuing, he said: “We are proud to align with you. Among all the aspirants, only you have gone through elections and we know you understand the power of party machinery. I want to suggest that you persuade them and bring them back into the fold, we are waiting for them.”
Corroborating this, the Deputy Chairman, Adamawa State PDP, Mr. Tumithy Audu Vimvin, said: “being the first aspirant to come and seek our support shows Daniel is a very serious and an experienced politician. He has been a governor and that means he understands what it takes to win elections. We pray that God will use us to pick him as the Chairman.”
In his response, Otunba Daniel thanked the stakeholders, executive and members of the Adamawa PDP for the great reception assuring them of his readiness to unite and harmonise all if given the mandate. He also disclosed that most of the party members who left were either his colleagues, friends or bosses and as such maintains good relationship with them assuring of his resolve to ensure that the PDP regains its pride of place.
In Taraba State, the Dep. Governor, Engr. Haruna Manu, who stood in for Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba State apologised for the absence of the governor who he said was away in Abuja for the PDP governors meeting. “My Governor”, he said, “sends his regards. When I heard that you’re contesting and speaking from my heart, I was so happy that someone like you is coming up to help rebuild our party. I do hope that you would close ranks with others aspirants so that we can have a smooth convention and whatever the result of the convention, you all will work for the success of the party. We younger generation are looking up to you”.
