TheCable

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, says manipulation has always a problem in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but said things were taking a new turn.

Speaking on Tuesday when a delegation of the party from Adamawa visited the national working committee (NWC) in Abuja, Ekweremadu expressed confidence in the leadership of Ali Modu Sheriff, the party’s national chairman.

“Our problem has always been that of manipulation, but that is all over,” he said.

“Now, the people will decide their leaders. The days when someone will sit down in his house and name party executives are over. People will decide who will be their leaders.

“I have assured all stakeholders that congresses and convention will not be as it used to be.”

Sheriff buttressed Ekweremadu’s view, saying candidates would not be imposed in the party’s forthcoming congresses and national convention.

“We will conduct congresses that will not be manipulated by anybody. We will send people to local governments to bring out persons that the people want to be their leaders,” he said.

“I want to assure you that only the right thing will be done in Adamawa and every other state. I will not impose anybody on the people.

“Anybody that is not wanted by his people will be my friend in Abuja, but will not be imposed on the people.

“If anybody tells you that I have sent him to Adamawa, he or she is a big liar.

“I don’t believe that anybody who is not accepted in his locality should come to Abuja to manipulate things to destroy the party.

“We have no reason to lose Adamawa and Borno states. The same reason why we do not have legislature in Adamawa and Borno is the impunity with which the party was run.

“I knew everything that happened in Adamawa before the election, and I also knew we were going to lose in the state.”