Jos North By-election: ‘We owe our success to the Chairman’: PDP Chieftain
Mr Emmanuel Macham, a youth activist and chieftain of the PDP in Plateau, says the success of the party in Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency by-election is attained through the reconciliatory efforts of Sen Iyorchia Ayu, the national chairman.
Macham said that Ayu’s visit to Jos brought back peace between two PDP leaders – retired Gen. Jerry Useini and former Governor, Jonah Jang.
Describing Ayu as “the most portent and credible leader to have piloted the affairs of the party in its history”. He said that his willingness to listen to all sides provided the impetus to a successful reconciliation.
“After losing the 2015 general elections, the PDP got into a massive crisis that reduced it to a poor sight in Plateau.
“The party kept struggling through several hurdles. Most of these ‘dangerous’ disagreements were deliberately created and championed by certain individuals that should be responsible for putting the house united and in order.
“Top leaders became shadows of themselves and turned to worms eating PDP from within and fanning embers of disharmony.
“Sen. Ayu took the bull by the horns and demonstrated uncommon leadership acumen by inviting all interest groups to a frank discussion.
“All groups were convinced by his sincerity of purpose and were ready for the sacrifices that was made toward rebuilding the PDP. That is what the party rode on, to clinch the House of Representatives seat.” He said
Macham urged members of the party to build on the new-found cohesion as it prepares for the 2023 general elections.
“The task of reclaiming the Plateau governorship seat in 2023 will not be easy, but it is possible if the PDP can put its house in order. We must build on the foundation laid by Ayu.” He said.
Macham described the party’s victory in the by-election as “very sweet”, it was the first major political triumph since the APC snatched the North-Central state from the PDP in 2015.
“Clearly, we won because the two warring camps came to the negotiating table and were charged to deliver irrespective of their differences. That was it.”
Macham urged Ayu to sustain the efforts to reshape the party into a formidable force capable of producing excellent results and overwhelming victory in 2023.
“The task ahead is quite challenging, but I am optimistic that the PDP will bounce back to glory under the leadership of Sen. Ayu.” He said.
PDP’s Musa Agah won the February 26 election by flooring his Peoples Redemption Party and APC rivals who came second and third respectively.
The seat became vacant following the death of its former occupant, Rep Alhaji Maitala.
NAN/Temitope O.
