A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih, and the party’s Chairman, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, as “a plus to the PDP brand.”
Kalu said this while hosting the Nigerian community in New Delhi, India to a dinner at Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi.
Kalu stated that the PDP is an extended family and is bound to have differences among members.
He said: “Even in a nuclear family, brothers and sisters disagree to agree talk less of an extended one as it is the case with the PDP, the biggest political party in Africa.”
He noted that despite this, the party has instilled discipline among members through an efficient and effective conflict management mechanism.
He said the PDP is a party of inclusion and not exclusion and it is on this strength the party has put in place an aggressive approach to bringing back to the party folds all aggrieved party members who have dumped the party at one time or the other.
Kalu debunked the rumoured conflict between the Board of Trustees, under the chairmanship of Anenih, and the National Working Committee, headed by Tukur.
Kalu noted that the PDP is guided under a well articulated constitution, which spells out the roles and responsibilities of each office within the party hierarchy.
More so, the two elders are well grounded in politics and will not do anything to jeopardize the unity of the party, he noted.
He said the reconciliatory visits embarked upon by Chief Anenih is not out of place but rather a complimentary effort to the reconciliation and mobilization of party stalwarts by Alhaji Tukur.
He cautioned faceless, paid agents to stop distracting the people with false statements. Kalu emphasized that internal democracy should be strengthened in the party to give a level playing ground to all actors.
He said the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has raised the issue of internal democracy in political parties as the key to credible elections.
He further stated that with genuine primaries, the flag bearer of the party will enjoy the support of all and sundry in the party.
He urged party men and women to remain committed to ensuring victory for the party in the forthcoming 2015 general election. He advised the Nigeria community in India to remain focused and engage in legitimate businesses in their respective professions.
He called on them to keep the Nigerian flag high and not to forget home, which is the final destination. In his vote of thanks, Dr. Sam Aderogba thanked Kalu for providing a platform to the Nigerian community in New Delhi. Aderogba said: “You have demonstrated love and patriotism by listening to the problems and challenges of your dear brothers and sisters.”
He also lauded the business initiative of Dr. Kalu, who was in India to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Slok Group of Nigeria and Prime Group of India.
He stated that with his mission of driving foreign direct investment to Nigeria, unemployment will reduce in the society. Aderogba also appealed to INEC to create an avenue where Nigerians in Diaspora can vote and be voted for.
