By Joseph Edegbo
Ahead of the 2024 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP congress, a chieftain of the party in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria, Hon. Ashafa Waziri has formally declared his desire to contest for the State Chairmanship of the party.
His desire, according to him, is that he
strongly believed that he has something to offer to transform the party for the better
Ashafa Waziri who was addressing a news conference in Kaduna, Wednesday said he has the wherewithal, the competence, the knowledge, the energy, and the strength to be the bridge builder that will unite the PDP in Kaduna State and restore its past glory.
Hereunder is the full text of his Press Briefing
PROTOCOL
I am highly honoured by your presence on this memorable occasion.
I appreciate you all for sparing your time to attend this event of my declaration for the position of Kaduna state chairman of the PDP.
I am here to formally inform you all of my desire to contest for the Chairmanship of our great party, the PDP.
I made a similar attempt a couple of years ago, and i am making yet another attempt again.
This is because i strongly believe that i have something to offer to transform the state chapter of the party for the better.
I have the wherewithal, the competence, the knowledge, the energy, and the strength to be the bridge builder that will unite the PDP in Kaduna State and restore its past glory.
You will all agree with me that Kaduna State is the home of PDP.
For 16 years, this party provided leadership, good governance, and development not only in Kaduna State but across the country.
However, in 2015, the party ran into crisis and suffered heavy defeat during the elections.
Since then, the narrative has not changed as we’ve lost two consecutive elections in 2019 and 2023.
This is the reason why i am contesting again for the position of the state chairman in the forthcoming congresses.
My aspiration is about the interest of the party.
I want to work towards proper groundwork for the 2027 elections, God willing and sparing our lives amongst the living.
I have what it takes to mobilise the needed forces across the state to ensure victory for the PDP in 2027.
We did well in 2023, we won all the three senatorial seats, won house of representatives seats, and house of assembly seats, but the margin of votes reduced by over 150,000 votes in the gubernatorial elections, from the votes we got from the presidential elections.
What went wrong?
These are the puzzles i will unravel, God willing and thereafter, safely propel us to victory in 2027.
But we need to work harder and strategise.
It is, therefore, imperative that we elect leaders who are competent and have the capacity to manage the affairs of the party in the state.
Leaders who will be fair, just and ready to sacrifice his time, knowledge, contacts, and above all his financial resources for the good and progress of the PDP.
I believe i have the ideas and the initiatives to take the PDP to higher heights in kaduna state and propel us to sir kashim ibrahim government house.
This is my driving force; this is why i am in the race.
I can assure you that, with the power of the Almighty God, and the full support of our teeming supporters, the PDP will bounce back stronger to rescue Nigeria from its present predicament.
With the good, and purposeful leadership, i will provide, and with the support and full cooperation of all our members, we would rebuild and stabilise this party God willing.
If I am elected state chairman, i will reposition the party and carry everybody along.
My leadership will be anchored on justice, fairness, equity, accountability, inclusiveness, and transparency.
If elected, the PDP shall be the voice and eyes of the people by playing its role effectively as an opposition party.
I want to be the new hope of PDP in Kaduna state.
As a new breed, I will lead by example.
My ultimate goal is to unite the party, recruit new members, and work towards the victory for our party in 2027, not only in state Kaduna state but Nigeria as a whole.
I am prepared to work with the various interest groups resident in the party.
Under my chairmanship, PDP would not only find a new identity but reclaim its lost glory and salvage Kaduna state.
We are one big happy family, representing the greatest hopes and aspirations of most Nigerians.
Therefore, i hereby call on more people to show interest and contest for party positions, especially the party chairman from zone 3.
For now, we are 5 contestants, but i urge more party members to show interest and come forward to contest.
The more the merrier and to allow party faithfuls the variety of choices to choose the best amongst us.
We must unite and work together.
So, this is my vision and my passion for the party.
Thank you for listening, and God bless.