The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has declared that his party is the ruling party waiting.
The party chairman who spoke ahead of the 2019 election said the PDP had progressed tremendously in the last ten months.
According to him, emerging from the setback it suffered when it lost the presidency in 2015, it had promised to correct it mistakes, and as it was, some amount of success had been recorded.
Secondus spoke at the national convention of the party held in Port Harcourt.
His words: “On December 11, 2017, in my acceptance speech, after you graciously elected the current National Working Committee, I solemnly promised: ‘that all necessary steps will be taken to avoid a repeat of our past mistakes. Indeed, we have learnt our lessons and by this convention, we are now set to forge a new path for our great party and Nigeria.’
“Exactly ten months after that pledge, I can with gratitude to God and in utmost humility report to you that the PDP of today is improved, enhanced and has migrated from an opposition Party to a ruling Party in waiting.
“Our reform package anchored on the three pillars of “Rebrand, Reposition to Regain” (3Rs) has been very successful with the first two almost accomplished while the last, the regaining of power is also at the verge of being realized.
“In our methodical manner and consistent with our pledge, the PDP is now in control of the leadership in the National Assembly, an unprecedented feat in our country’s democratic experience.”
He said the evidence of the improvement could be seen in the fact that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, had joined the PDP.
So also were the governors of Benue, Sokoto and Kwara states, he said.
He said the setting up of a Contact and Integration Committee led PDP to the ground-breaking working partnership with 40 other political parties under the umbrella known as Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).
“I am happy to report to you that our reform process is on. It has yielded visible dividends. The reforms will transform our Party from a successful electoral vehicle to an Agenda Shaping Institution ready to provide modern, inclusive and transparent governance fit for the 21st century.
“Today we are gathered in furtherance of the third R in our reform programme Regaining of Power. This convention is a crucial step in our unstoppable march to Regain Power.
“PDP is an organic Party. It is not a Special Purpose Vehicle. It will outlive this Primary election as it has weathered the storm as a ruling party and an opposition party.
“It is the Party with institutional memory and owned by Nigerians. Our candidate selection through indirect primaries at all levels have been marked by transparency, peace, decorum and credibility.”
