I warned you on looming defeat, Tukur to PDP

ABUJA- FORMER National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has attributed the defeat of the party by the All Progressives Congress, APC during the March 28 and April 11 general elections, to what he termed, failure on the part of the leadership to adhere to his warning on the looming loss.

Tukur who noted that he was having the last laugh over the party’s defeat in the elections, stressed that the party ignored his warning and refused to mend its ways.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Tukur stressed that he had warned the party in 2013 that it will suffer defeat in the 2015 general election if the leaders refuse to change their ways and allow for internal democracy within the party.

In the statement titled: “PDP- Were you not warned?” the former PDP chairman reminded the party leadership of the speech he read at the PDP National Executive Committee [NEC] meeting of Thursday, June 20, 2013, which he presided over as chairman.

Tukur who noted that he had warned his fellow party leaders and members to have a change of attitude if the party must succeed, said, “In our efforts to achieve success, we must rededicate our genuine political believes, change our attitudes and identify our political needs. These good values cannot be realized without accepting the supremacy of the party constitution as key instrument that ensures progress, stability and internal discipline.

The former National chairman who also drew their attention to his words, said, “we must strengthen our democracy through determination, not personalization, correction, not manipulation, collectivism, not individualism and sacrifice, not disservice.

“If these pronouncements are substantial then, the party should quickly take urgent steps to achieve higher levels, at least by coming to terms with democratic norms and practices.”

Tukur argued that he also asked party members to accord President Goodluck Jonathan some measure of respect, saying, “We owe ourselves a duty to protect, project and support our President to leave behind, a lasting legacy for Nigerians,” while reminding them of the promises made on the PDP journey.

 

I warned you on looming defeat, Tukur to PDP