Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio had some words of advise for the incoming PDP chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu. The PDP Governors Forum chairman advised the PDP helmsman to be careful not to slip on the elusive banana peel.
“You must beware of banana peel. We agree that crises have always been the main problems between the PDP executives and governors,” he said.
Speaking on the installation of Muazu as chairman, President Jonathan said it was a historical decision that Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state, nominated Muazu who also hails from the North Eastern state.
The President said, “We are happy that your governor was the one who moved the motion for your nomination.
“Our governors don’t want their states to produce the chairman. We even thought of taking the office to a state without a governor from our party. But we are happy that history has been made.”
In his own remarks, Muazu said there would be credible primaries from henceforth in the party. He also said he would not interfere with party chapters at state level.
His words:
The beginning of credible, free and fair elections starts with credible, free and fair primaries. The PDP as the leading party, must therefore, lead the way for other parties to follow. We cannot and will not condone questionable primary elections.
“In the last few months, the PDP has occupied front pages of our newspapers with negative headlines. Most political analysts predicted that the end of the gains had come.
“Over the years, the PDP has developed an internal conflict resolution mechanism. So why false prophets were predicting its collapse, insiders knew that the crisis was a storm in a teacup.
“Today, we have shown to the world an instant cure for what looked like a terminal disease. Indeed, we have demonstrated our political maturity and sagacity as the number one party in Africa.
“There is no doubt that all has not been well with our party. However, the crisis that has rocked the party is a common phenomenon with large parties.”
“I won’t tamper with any of your structures, including that of Yuguda. I won’t tamper with any of your structures.”