By Aare Abiodun Oluwarotimi
Former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam PhD, has explained that he decided to contest the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairmanship to complete Iyorchia Ayu’s tenure and also “to a virile opposition party”.
Recall that Ayu was removed from office by a court order. The erstwhile Benue State governor, who spoke to journalists in Abuja over the weekend, dismissed allegations that there were factions within the PDP.
He said since the party had zoned the chairmanship to North Central, it would make political sense to allow him as an experienced political leader from the zone to step in and complete Ayu’s tenure.
He said: “We at the party level believe that North Central should produce the next President as stipulated by the PDP Constitution to complete its tenure. North Central should not be shortchanged going by the precedent that has already been set by the party.”
He added: “I know all that is involved in the PDP since I joined the party in 1998, under which I was elected as a member of the House of Representatives, then as a governor and a Senator. I know what the party stands for and most of its major players are either dead or alive.
“With this experience, my intention is to provide focused leadership to revive reorganize and reposition the party as a viable alternative. The only way to prevent absolute dictatorship is to have a virile opposition party.” I am not insisting it must be me but if it is me it will be better for the party.”