Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says the large turn out of party members at today’s ward congresses, the first ever since the formation of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Adamawa state was historic and a clear manifestation of a yearning for democracy by the people.
“The recorded turn-out in some wards was far in excess of that seen in general elections in the state. It is a clear indication that people want democracy”, Atiku who keenly monitored the vote said.
The former Vice-President said it was wrong of the state government or anyone for that matter to subvert the yearnings of the people for a free and fair election in the running of their party affairs. ” The right to freedom of association is a right protected by the constitution that can not be whimsically taken away to serve the convenience of an individual or any group,” Atiku said.
He said the peaceful conduct of the election throughout the state had clearly shown that there was absolutely no basis other than politics for the security alarm raised by the state government.
Atiku praised the Adamawa state caretaker committee, as well the National Working Committee of the PDP for their forthrightness and courage by first allowing elections as against consensus arrangements, and then going ahead with the vote in spite of blackmail.
Atiku said the future of the PDP lied in strict adherence to democratic values, principles without which, he said, the ruling party would just be another tool in the hands of dictators.
