The National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh, has said the PDP has since overcome the initial trauma that accompanied the electoral setback of the 2015 general elections, and is now poised to regain power at the center in 2019.
Mr. Metuh was freed on bail after over three weeks in detention. He is standing trial for alleged corruption.
In his first public statement since leaving the Kuje prison, Mr. Metuh said the, “recent variance of voices” from its members is as a result of the party’s foundation of liberal democracy, which he described as a mark of strength, adding that the party has adequate internal mechanisms to resolve all issues within its fold.
The comments were contained in his opening remark at a meeting of the party’s Publicity Directorate with some visiting parliamentarians from the United Kingdom, led by Mark Field, member of Parliament and Chairman of International Office of the Conservative Party, and Colin Bloom, Director of Outreach-BCP in Abuja on Friday.
He told the visitors that the PDP faced serious challenges soon after it lost in the elections, culminating in the resignation of its National Chairman, a development that created some challenges within the party, but assured that every issue would be resolved by the party leadership by next week.
In his remark, Mr. Field advised the party to ensure that it does not trash its brand in the face of challenges. He noted that while it is common for some party members to demand the removal of leaders after electoral defeat, care must be taken not to jeopardize institutional memory in the party.
“Never trash your brand no matter whatever the government of the day is saying about you”, he said.
The interaction was attended by PDP publicity staff, social media workers of the party and officials of the International Republican Institute, IRI, who facilitated the visit.