PDP Must Not Repeat Past Mistakes – Ike Ekweremadu

Ike Ekweremadu, has charged the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure transparent and credible primaries, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He blamed the party’s defeat in the 2015 general election on lack of internal democracy that manifested in the imposition of candidates and disregard for the party’s constitution.

Ekweremadu delivered a keynote address at the opening of a two-day retreat for the NWC and State Chairmen of the PDP in Abuja.

He said: “Another election year is by the corner. The new NWC must ensure that the party does not repeat past mistakes. We must return power to the people, as our name and slogan rightly demand of us. This will not only reassure Nigerians that we are indeed an improved and rebranded PDP, but will also encourage the massive return of former party faithful.”

Ekweremadu said, the public will evaluate the PDP’s commitment to end corruption and promote accountability and transparency by the way it handles internal party affairs.

He added: “We have a history of fighting corruption and our systems must be corruption-free. This should stand us out as the only hope to eradicate corruption in Nigeria. The PDP established the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

“We saw to the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act and introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), Treasury Single Account (TSA), and the Biometric Verification Number (BVN). The PDP also ensured that the Civil Society Organisations and the press flourished to promote an accountable and open society.

“There was no effort by the PDP to tame the Non-Governmental Organisations or the use of the social media. Importantly, we beamed the anti-graft searchlight on our own members to demonstrate that there must be no sacred cows in the war against graft.

“Therefore, we must conduct our affairs in a way that reassure Nigerians that under the incoming PDP administration, we will not only consolidate on all these track record, but will also firmly eradicate corruption from 2019”.