PDP could’ve ruled for 60 years, says Ogbulafor

A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Vincent Ogbulafor, who once boasted that the party would rule for 60 years, said his prediction would have come true if the party had not made costly mistakes before the elections.

Ogbulafor, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Umuahia, accused his party of causing President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss in the last elections and called on the members of its National Working Committee to resign.

He said, “When I was the chairman, I controlled 28 states and a majority in the National Assembly and also won additional four states for the party.

“Some of us performed better and had good ideas on how to keep the PDP in power for as long as I predicted.

“I made the prediction in clear conscience and realisation that it was achievable, given that the PDP controlled 28 states, majority in the National Assembly and local government administration.

“So, there is nothing that could have stopped PDP if we were able to control the line-up.’’

He said the party was already on the right path with the resignation of its National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih.

He said, “I feel happy about their resignation because I feel they did so in the interest of the party.

“So, I feel it is better for all the committee members to voluntarily resign if they love the party and want it to survive.’’

Ogbulafor further urged the NWC to accept responsibility for the party’s poor performance in the general elections.

He also attributed the party’s failure to the hate campaign and the failure of the PDP to include past chairmen in the campaign.

He said, “Past national chairmen were completely excluded and we were never invited to offer our ideas on how to help Jonathan.”

Ogbulafor argued that the incessant change in the leadership of the PDP which had five chairmen in six years, led to instability and contributed to the party’s defeat.

He said, “Since I left office, the PDP has changed its chairmen five times. This is a pointer that all is not well with the party.

“This is why I am calling on the NWC members to quit without compulsion to pave the way for fresh blood that will bring vibrancy and help to move the party forward.’’

Ogbulafor said that the incoming governors, who would be the financiers of the party, would also wish to inherit a new NWC.

While congratulating the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, Ogbulafor described his election as a compensation to Katsina and the North over the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

He said, “I feel happy that the Presidency went to the North, particularly Katsina, the home state of the late Yar’Adua, who died in office without completing his tenure.”