Sacked Tukur pledges continued service to PDP

A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, on Monday said he would continue to serve the party.

Tukur also begged members of the PDP not to defect to the All Progressives Congress, which he dubbed as 'a commercial party.'

'They keep changing name every time. From AD (Alliance for Democracy) to AC (Action Congress), then to ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria) and now APC. It is better known as Alliance Commercial Party,' he said.

Tukur, who resigned as the PDP chairman in Abuja when members of a pro-President Goodluck Jonathan group, the National Consolidation Group, visited him at his residence in Abuja.

'I will also continue to serve the PDP and work for the party because in the party lies the greatest hope for a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria,' Tukur told his visitors.

He insisted that he offered credible leadership while leading the party.

He said, 'I thank you for this visit as the immediate past national chairman of the PDP and I am convinced, more than ever before, that when you offer credible, meritorious service and leadership, the people will at any time appreciate you, whether in office or out of office or government.

'I feel highly encouraged that you are here today. I wish to use this opportunity to rededicate myself to the service of our great party, the PDP and our fatherland Nigeria.

'Our leaders across the country should use their position to serve the people selflessly, with dedication to the peace, unity and stability of the nation.

'On my own part, I have always been a capacity builder; I have always built men and given them the platform to excel. I have served my country selflessly and will continue to render selfless service to our dear nation, Nigeria.'

Tukur appealed to those who had left the party to return, advising that no other political party had the capacity to protect their interests than the PDP.

He said, 'The PDP is solid, intact and united as ever. The  influx of politicians to the PDP is an evidence of this. Many more politicians, men and women of goodwill, will still join the party.

'Truly, the PDP is the party to beat. I enjoin all members of the PDP family who have defected to other parties to have a rethink and return to the fold of the PDP.

'I call on you and indeed all Nigerians to vote massively for the PDP in future elections and support the PDP as the party is a united political family. I urge you people to work for PDP and ensure that there is peace and harmonious existence.'

The National Coordinator of the visiting NCG, Mr. Francis Ugboho, said that the group was honoured to identify with Tukur, who he described as a visionary leader.

Ugboho said the immediate objective of the group was to work for the re-election of Jonathan in 2015.