Victor EzejaPeople’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the Anambra 2021 election, Dr. Valentine Ozigbo has called on members of the party in the state to put in their best in ensuring that things are done the right way duirng forthcoming state party congress.
Ozigbo gave the admonition in a statement posted on his Facebook wall on Sunday shortly after the meeting of Anambra PDP stakeholders with Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is also the leader of PDP in the South-East.
Prime Business Africa had reported that there was a meeting between Governor Ugwuanyi and Anambra PDP stakeholders on Sunday at Enugu government house to discuss the upcoming PDP congress in Anambra.
Ozigbo disclosed that the meeting was held to discuss how to ensure that upcoming congresses of the party are conducted rightly to reflect the interest of all members.
While noting that the meeting was successful, the PDP governorship candidate said the resolution of the party now is to elect during the congress, an inclusive team of leaders made up of people with integrity and good character who will lead the party for the next four years.
In the mesage titled “My Anambra PDP faithful”, Ozigbo a business mogul, urged the people to work towards ensuring a free, fair and credible process during congresses in order to get a leadership team that is acceptable to all party members.
He equally stressed the need for gender inclusion to accommodate more women in party leadership.
The message reads, “With the announcement of the timetable and schedule of activities for our State Chapter‘s Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses by the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), we must give it our best to get it right this time.
“I am glad that the Anambra PDP stakeholders met today (Sunday) with the leader of PDP in the South-East, the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, with some members of the National Working Committee and Zonal Working Committee of our great party. One of the main sentiments expressed was the need to get the upcoming Congresses right.
“The vision is clear – to produce an inclusive team of leaders made up of competent people with the integrity and strength of character to lead our party for the next four years. We must consider gender balance, youth representation, and geographical spread to achieve this.
“We must work to ensure that the process for our congresses is free, fair, and credible and the team that emerges is acceptable to a more significant majority of our party faithful.
“The ultimate goal is to expand, strengthen, and sustain the party to surpass its earlier positive political exploits and electoral successes.”
Speaking on the new mission for effective party leadership, Ozigbo stressed the need for party stakeholders to prioritise issues of “literacy qualifications, acceptability to the grassroots, good moral character, and proven integrity” in their criteria for supporting any aspirant to any leadership position, instead of political loyalty and financial benefits.
“We need a thorough soul searching at the different leadership levels. Those who left the party should be encouraged to return, but we should be cautious in entrusting leadership positions to those who worked against the party in any way.
“It is also time for our women to take a more active role in the leadership of our party. As 50% of our population, we need more women to aspire to positions other than woman leaders. If our women are not fully engaged to bring their talents, skills, and capacities to the table of power, we cannot realise our full potential as a party and a people.
“The time is always right to do what is right. Fellow members of our great party, the time is now, and right, the stage is set, history is beckoning on us.
“I passionately appeal that we sacrifice self-interest for our collective interest. We can’t afford to fail this time. Instead, we must get it right this time around,” Ozigbo appealed to the party members.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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