Why I Returned To PDP – Bala Mohammed
ABUJA, August 11, (THEWILL) – "The strong desire to realize my dream of contributing my best for my people and the entire country has made me to return to my original party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)," FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed said while addressing party supporters on Monday, during his formal return to the Peoples Democratic Party at Alkaleri Township Stadium, Bauchi State.
The Minister said that if his dream must be realized, he must team up with more like-minds towards building a new Nigeria; stressing that "in order to achieve this, it has become imperative that I make adjustments on my political leaning".
According to him, "that adjustment is what I am making today by returning to my original Party, so that I will be able to work hand in hand with my dependable leaders, colleagues and allies, including President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Government under his leadership".
"That way, we will be able to nurture the new leadership in our country that will usher our nation unto a new order in this 21st century," he added.
Senator Mohammed reiterated that his joining PDP is not a case of following band wagon or following a crowd but because of the kind of role he believes he should play based on his inner conviction as a nationalist and as a patriot, can best be played under a large umbrella.
He described the PDP as the only authentic national party in the country today that has its presence in all the 36 states of the federation and FCT as well as 774 Local Government Areas; adding that no other party can be more nationalistic than the PDP.
The Minister recalled that in the past few years, he was a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) under which platform he went to the Senate; noting that he has respect for that platform and its members and indeed remains grateful to them for the opportunity offered him to participate.
"I am a strong believer in Nigeria, not just as a leading country in Africa but as a World leader with manifest destiny. Therefore, my declaration as I make this historic move is to remain faithful to my personal conviction, remain faithful to my constituents and to remain faithful to my country," the Minister emphasized.
He insisted that those who know him well can attest that he is a man of his own conviction and it is that conviction that made him decide to change his political platform but not borne out of opportunism or selfishness.
Senator Mohammed restated that the move was borne out selflessness, sense of responsibility, commitment to public good as well as his burning desire to forge unity and alliance from North to South, from East to West.
President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented at the occasion by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Akilu Indabawa promised to organize a free and fair election in 2011 general elections.
The President called for unity amongst all the membership of the Peoples Democratic Party and paid tribute to frontline nationalists that Bauchi State has produced in person of Sa’ad Zungur and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
The Senate President, David Mark piloted himself to Alkaleri with a helicopter belonging to the Nigeria Police Force, to register his presence.
Other senior party leaders at the venue included; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Bayero Nafada, Minister of Special Duties, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade who represented members of the Federal Executive Council; Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Abubakar Sodangi, representative of the Vice President, Isaiah Balat and the National Vice Chairman of PDP (North-East), Senator Paul Wanpana who was also a representative of the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesileze Nwodo. All of them spoke at the occasion.