We can only compete when we resolve our crisis — Gov.Diri
By Tapre Timine, Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Governor and Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, Senator Douye Diri, has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is greater than any individual, urging members to focus on resolving internal issues rather than blaming external forces.
Speaking at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday after the inauguration of the South-South zonal caretaker committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi, Governor Diri stressed that the party’s strength lies in its unity.
Addressing concerns about discipline within the party, Diri noted that the political will to address troublemakers was not just the leadership’s responsibility but a collective duty of all members.
Governor Diri believed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee would strengthen the party’s South-South structure, especially as the region remains a PDP stronghold.
He said while speaking to journalists: “For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues. It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.
“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders. We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party.
“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the deputy governor of Delta State, who represented the governor.
“I have also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP.”
