“30 Political Parties In Adamawa Endorse Dr. Ardo”

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Dr. Umar Ardo, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chieftain has been endorsed by 30 Political Parties in Adamawa State, where they joined in one voice saying that he is one of Nigeria’s rarest patriots, a respecter of rule of law, and true a champion of democracy in Nigeria.

The  Chairmen of the 30 political parties in Adamawa State while speaking through their spokesperson, Comrade Ja’afar Baba Gire said that they were stimulated by exemplary conduct, indefatigable comportment, and high level of discipline exhibited by Ardo since the advent of democracy to extend such deserved honour on him.

According to Gire, he said Ardo remained the only politician who over the years ensured that internal party democracy is entrenched in our political psyche.

The political parties that endorsed Dr. Ardo are; APDA, ASD, ANN, DA, GPN, NCP, WTPN, PRP, NNPP, JMPP, PANDE, MPN, UPC, PDM, ANDP, APN, CNP, AD, NDCP, NPC, ZM, APP, PTP, ACCORD, ACD, NDLP, NPM, AA, MRDD, JMPP, and NCP.

Gire in his speech while stating the purpose the press conference said; “We are all living witnesses to the systematic collapse of democratic values in our political parties. In our opinion, there is one fundamental element missing in our party system, which is responsible for the poor governance and under-development of our state and our country today.”

“And until this issue is considered and resolved party politics will never be stable in Nigeria, and democracy will not serve its purpose of developing this country. This missing element is the lack of Internal Democracy. I am sure we all know that the democratic maturity of a political party is measured by the level of its internal democracy, which comprises basically two key characteristics;-

  1. The election of party leaderships (EXCO) by members of the party in a free, fair and transparent manner; and
  2. The nomination of Party Candidates (Primaries) for elective public offices by party members also in a free, fair and transparent manner.”

According to Gire; “These two constitute internal democracy. Their entrenchment in the party electoral process automatically vests all powers in the hands of the people at all levels of the party organs. The central benefit of this is the widening and entrenching of participatory democracy, while also guaranteeing fairness, level-playing field, and justice to all its members and aspirants in all manner of elections within the party.

Also, given the fact that the right to vote and be voted for in a political party is an inalienable right of a member, the entrenchment of internal democracy guarantees the exercise of this right to all members. This naturally reduces friction and conflict and creates harmony and amity within the party that will help it capture and retain the support and confidence of the people, and thence give rise to good governance at the higher level in the polity. Conversely, where these elements are lacking, there will be no democracy; instead, there will be anarchy – the central problem facing virtually all political parties in Nigeria today.”

Gire speaking further said; “As we earlier said until this issue is resolved our democracy will not work. It is in recognition of this fact that we call for this press conference to appreciate, and pay tribute to, one politician, and an academic, who perceptively understood this problem and has been fighting doggedly to solve it in his political party.”

“And this individual is Dr. Umar Ardo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Although we are not of the same party as him, we all could not fail to notice his fight for the entrenchment of internal democracy in his party for over 12 years running. He fought it at the party level, from state to national; he fought it at the courts, from High Courts way up to the Supreme Court, expending hundreds of millions of his hard-earned money. We admit that he is yet to prevail, but he still has not given up and is determined not to give up till he prevails.”

According to him, he said; “Even though he likes to describe himself as a politician, most people actually see Dr. Umar Ardo more of a political activist. His candor and plain speaking, no matter whose ox is gored; his decisiveness and actions when the need arises; his rather forceful arguments and decisions once he is clear of what is at stake – all set him apart from ordinary politicians in the state and the country in a distinctive and ample manner.

“Gire said Ardo, unlike most politicians, never refrained from conflict when he believes that an issue must be resolved. Again, unlike most politicians in the state whose source of wealth is not unconnected to the public treasury, Dr. Ardo cannot be said to have ever made any money from the public treasury, even though he served at the highest office in the country – the Presidential Villa! Every kobo Dr. Ardo ever made is earned and not stolen. How many of our so-called politicians in the state can boast of legitimately earning their money outside the government treasury? This is a challenge we are throwing out to them all!”

“A man like this needs support and encouragement from all well-meaning Nigerians because when he ultimately wins, it will be to the benefit of all. It is in recognition of this worthy struggle, that we, chairmen and leaders of the following political parties in Adamawa State – i.e. APDA, ASD, ANN, DA, GPN, NCP, WTPN, PRP, NNPP, JMPP, PANDE, MPN, UPC, PDM, ANDP, APN, CNP, AD, NDCP, NPC, ZM, APP, PTP, ACCORD, ACD, NDLP, NPM, AA, MRDD, JMPP and NCP – after sober reflection and exhaustive deliberations amongst ourselves have resolved as follows:

  • That Dr. Umar Ardo is a true and patriotic democrat who values democracy and is desirous to entrench and sustain it in Adamawa state and Nigeria;
  • That we unanimously agreed to support his struggle to entrench internal democracy in our party system in the interest of our dear state and country;
  • That if given the opportunity to lead the state, Dr. Ardo will not steal from our public treasury;
  • That he is the only one among the motley politicians of the state we believe will bring a positive change, progressive, fruitful, and productive development in our dear state; and
  • That while still remaining members of our various parties, however, if Dr. Ardo prevails and is nominated by any political party as the gubernatorial candidate for the state, we will unanimously endorse his candidacy and collectively support and work for his election in the interest of our dear state.

He said the essence of this press conference is to bring to light the positive struggle of a patriot who cares for the well-being and welfare of our people by trying to protect the alarming antics of latter-day politicians towards destroying the cause of democracy in Adamawa State in particular and the nation at large and to support this struggle.

“We call upon all the good people of Adamawa and Nigeria to join us and Dr. Ardo in resisting and rejecting such acts of such politicians so as to pull Adamawa state out of its present quagmire. The constitutions of all political parties have invested all sovereignty into the hands of the people, and not in the hands of any so-called stakeholders. As they say, a stitch in time saves nine; and to be forewarned is to be forearmed,” Gire said.

 

 

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