PDP defectors will return hungry, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who defected to the All Progressives Party, APC, would return to the party with empty stomach.

According to him, PDP is still the dominant party in the country despite the loss recorded in the March 28 presidential election.

Speaking during submission of report of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDPPCO, headed by Dr. Ahmadu Ali, the President insisted that PDP is the most organised party to which anyone could aspire for any position.

'I encourage our members to remain loyal to the party, not to be so disillusioned ­because we lost presidential election and decide to go where they think they will fill their stomachs or something.

It's not easy, I have been here for five years plus; you hardly satisfy even 15 per cent of those who work for you. 'So, those already crosscarpeting will come back on empty stomach because they will touch the primary members of their party before they get to you.

They know you are coming because you are hungry, before it will get to you the food will be gone,' Jonathan said. He charged members of the party to continue to bond together and work hard ahead of the 2019 elections as the party would become stronger.

He commended PDP members for the sacrifice they have made in the interest of the party, urging that PDP should not be judged by the result of the elections.

Jonathan said it was imperative that the nation moves forward, stressing that political parties can only thrive in the atmosphere of peace and stability.

He told the party members that he never consulted anybody before calling General Muhammadu Buhari on phone to congratulate him on his victory in the presidential election.

While thanking members for the roles played during the elections, he charged them to be more committed to the development of the party.

Earlier, Ali commended Jonathan for showing exemplary leadership and making the party proud despite losing to APC. He noted that Jonathan had helped the country avert a possible civil war by conceding defeat.

Yesterday's submission of report by the PDPPCO attracted top members of the PDP including Ifeanyi Ubah of Transformation Agenda of Nigeria, TAN, who wept at the event because of the party's defeat at the polls.

Also in attendance were PDP Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Tony Anenih; former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi; Special Adviser to the President on Political matters, Rufa'i Alkali, and cabinet ministers.