PREAMBLE
The bedrock of good leadership is predicated on internal democracy as well as a virile leadership recruitment process, which is imbeded in the ability of political parties to fulfill this all-important obligation.
Political parties, amongst other responsibilities, are considered as vehicles for attainment of leadership positions in a democratic setting. We can, therefore, assert that if democracy fails at the level of political parties, it has a multiplier effect on the polity.
The formation of the people’s Democratic Party in 1998 was a direct response to the yearnings of Nigerians to salvage themselves from the precipice of state failure as a result of perennial military rule; hence, its founding fathers promoted the ideals of the concept of “power to the people”
Over the years, particularly after the 2015 general election, the fortune of our great party continues to dwindle. A party that controlled the government at the center with majority seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives with more than 28 states in the kitty but has now drifted into an avoidable opposition.
The reason for this misfortune can not be attributed to bad governance but rather an internally seemingly irreconcilable antagonism. The party grappled with tripled but mutually reinforcing crises of lack of internal democracy, deficit in equity and fairness, and none adherence to its rules and regulations.
THE IDEAL MAN FOR THE JOB
The chances of PDP once the greatest political party in Africa regaining power at the center are bright despite our three failed consecutive attempts.
This is basically because the ruling party has failed to meet the expectations of our people. Instead of improvements in the lives of the majority of the citizenry, things have worsened over time. Even more saddening is the fact that it has gotten to the point that these anomalies are being normalized, as people focus on coping mechanisms, having given up hope of ever living in peaceful, stable and prosperous Country.
Barrister Humphrey Enemakwu Abah possesses the competence and the credentials to pilot the affairs of the party at this point in the annals of our history. Beyond competence, he has a compassionate heart, so that through his conduct and moral example, he can be a force for good.
In other words, the party needs a leader who is fair and equitable and will not promote fractionalization that will lead to internal implosion, which is the crux of our problems in PDP today.
THE MAN AND HIS VISION
Barrister Humphrey Abah, a lawyer, businessman, and an astute politician, hails from Igalamela/ Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He has served the Party and the country at the top echelon.
As a founding member of the party in Kogi State at inception in 1998, he became the Legal Adviser North Central for eight years. As a major stakeholder in Kogi State PDP, he worked tirelessly with others alike to enthrone the PDP from opposition to power in the state in 2003. In the spirit of sportsmanship, even though he contested for the Governorship primaries which favoured Alhaji Ibrahim Idris as the eventual winner, he contributed immensely to the victory of the Party in 2003.
In recognition of his contribution to nation-building, he was nominated as a member of the political and electoral reform conference in 2005. Furthermore, he became the coordinator of Yaradua/ Goodkuck presidential campaign organization in Kogi State 2007.
He was later appointed into the Federal Executive Council as cabinet minister in three different ministries, namely Commerce and Industry, Interior as Ministers of State. He was later redeployed to the Ministry of PoliceAffairss as Minister.
At the Ministry of Police Affairs, he superintended over the security of the 2011 general election, which was largely peaceful.
While he served as Minister of the federal Republic of Nigeria, he was conscientious and came out without blemish and has not been a guest of any of the anti graft agencies.
These attributes eminently qualify him for the exalted position of the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party. (PDP)
A Humphrey Abah led National working committee will be premised on the following principle.
1. INTERNAL DEMOCRACY
As it has been earlier identified, one of the banes of the fortune of our great party is lack of internal democracy; the process for emergence of our candidates at various levels is often skewed to favour particular persons/ camps to the extent that grievances from these outcomes are difficult to resolve.
His promise is that going forward, fair conduct of primaries, inclusive participation of members, and fair representation will be the order of the day. The right to elect leaders of their choice will be restored back to the people.
2. OPENENESS AND TRANSPARENCY
The majority of our party members have become exasperated and demoralized by the lack of openness and transparency in the management of the affairs of our party. If given the opportunity to steer the ship of this great party, Bar Humprey Abah will be accountable to members. As a public-spirited personality, transparency will be his watch word in order to enhance the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
2(¡) the party must be restructured to innovatively reinvent its funding mechanism as to transfer POWER TO THE PEOPLE and get the people to fund the party. This is achievable and stress free.
3. FAIRNESS AND EQUITY
There is no doubt that there is much division in the party, mainly caused by mutual suspicion by different groups and factions. Barrister Humphrey Abah is a man of high moral conduct devoid of parochial tendencies and committed to treating all party members equally regardless of ethnicity, gender and creed.
4. YOUTH AND WOMEN ENGAGEMENT AND INCLUSION.
The party’s programme on youth and women inclusiveness will be sustained and further enhanced. These categories of persons will be encouraged to participate actively in party affairs at all levels.
5. CONFLICTS RESOLUTION MECHANISM
It is a truism that human goals might be incompatible most of the time. Efforts must be made for these differences to accommodate themselves. Therefore, conflict resolution must be diligently pursued. The crux of the matter is the ability to mitigate these conflicts to the barest minimum if not completely avoided.
A Humphrey Abah led NWC of the PDP will ensure a less acrimonious party, while a strong mechanism will be put in place to effectively and efficiently make use of the human resource available to the party in the board of trustees.
CONLUSION
We are all familiar with the enormous challenges before our great party, the real challenge, however is knowing what needs to be done to overcome these problems, and then having the opportunity and courage to implement these ideas.
We have tried to highlight the debilitating issues that led to the loss of power at the center and its consequences on our people. The Humphrey Abah phenomenon geared towards returning power back to the people as envisioned by the founding fathers of our great Party. As a founding member of the party, who has participated actively in party affairs and in governance, he knows the road to return power back to the people. Your support for Barrister Humphrey Abah is a step towards returning our great party back to power at the center in the overall interest of our dear nation.
A publication of the Humphrey Abah for PDP National Chairman Campaign organization.
