By Amos Tauna,
Kaduna (Nigeria) — With the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, national convention fast approaching, a group under the auspices of PDP Progressive Forum, has endorsed Senator Nenadi Esther Usman to run for the office of the national Secretary of the party.
In statement issued to newsmen signed by Tanko Rossi Sabo and Umar Muhammad Rigasa, chairman and secretary of the group in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria said, “Nenadi’s courage to vie for the position as a woman is well commendable and giving her all the needed support will no doubt boost the party’s credential as one that fosters gender equality.
“Senator Esther Nenadi Usman worked hard to achieve her greatness against all odds of life.”
According to them, “At the time many stakeholders were either dormant or deserted the party in the state, especially after the misfortunes of 2015, Sen. Nenadi has been one of the few who kept faith with the party despite the persecution by the ruling APC.
“She has made immense sacrifices to revive and keep the party going. Her active participation in most party meetings and activities; and most notably, Chairing one of the committees for reconciliation of party members in the state is testament to her commitment and sacrifices,” the group explained.
The group added, “Her sterling leadership qualities, which hails from southern Kaduna, the stronghold of PDP in the entire North-west zone since 1999, will therefore be a great deal of wisdom to support the emergence of Sen. Usman as National Secretary of the party.
“You will recall that on Tuesday 21st November, 2017, the senator representing Kaduna South made public a letter he wrote to the National Vice Chairman (North-west) complaining of how southern Kaduna is not adequately given its dues by the party in spite of its outstanding contributions to the party especially in the last general elections.
“While we disagree with the senator’s approach of throwing away decorum by washing the party’s dirty linens in public, we however, share his sentiments that the area very well deserves better; and Senator Nenadi Usman’s aspiration is, without doubt, a pragmatic approach to actualize the dream of the area.”
The group added that, the PDP, is at the threshold of regaining it lost glory by Makarfi-led Interim National Caretaker Committee for making this possible.
They also explained, “Consolidating on the gains of the party, therefore, requires strong men and women with vision, tact, and experience at the helm of the party’s affairs.
“In this regard, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman readily comes to mind. Her virtues and enviable record of service to our dear party and the entire nation speak volumes.
“Having selflessly served as Minister of Finance, Member of the Presidential Transition Committee, Member of the PDP State Caucus, Senator of the Federal Republic, and the Director of Finance Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organization, among others, Senator Nenadi Usman is not new to national politics.
“We are therefore, excited that she has finally bowed to public plea to contest the position of National Secretary of our great party, the People’s Democratic Party, in the forthcoming National Convention slated for December 9, 2017.”
They reiterated that, her ambition to contest for the position of the national secretary of the party would not only be fair to the teeming party faithful and supporters from the zone, but also strategic for winning the 2019 general elections.
“It is on the strength of these facts that we endorse Senator Nenadi Usman’s candidature and call on all well-meaning stakeholders, founding fathers, leaders and the led to give equal support to her,” the statement explained.
