The Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday in Abuja described the defection of former Vice President Atiku Ababukar to the All Progressive Congress on Sunday as “a voyage”.
Uche Secondus, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, said this while declaring open a Strategic Consultative Workshop for Women in Media and Communication.
Secondus, who was chairman at the workshop organised by Kema Chikwe, the PDP National Woman Leader, in collaboration with the International Republican Institute, said that PDP would be willing to receive Abubakar back after the voyage.
He said: “The good thing is that the PDP is so consistent and constant that when they leave, they go on a voyage and they come back and we receive them.
“I can tell you that they will go and come back and we are waiting for Atiku to go on this voyage and to come back.
“He has done it before.
“This is not the first time and we will welcome him back when he comes because APC cannot win elections, because they are not firmly rooted.”
Secondus said that PDP had the strength and population to emerge victorious in the 2015 elections, adding that the party would soon commence mobilisation of women across the country ahead of the 2015 election.
He stressed that women are free to contest any elective position, including presidency, governorship, senatorial and to the House of Representatives, in the 2015 general election.
He, therefore, said that there could be no better time than now for women to come out enmass and take the opportunity available in the PDP to contest elective offices.
The Deputy National Chairman said that any community that had no respect for women was doomed, stressing that the PDP had great respect for women.
This, according to him, is the reason why the party gave women sensitive elective positions.
He added: “It is time for you to stand up and be counted.
“It is no longer the time for you to play the back role.
“We, the men folk, are asking that you come out and take the front seat in PDP because the more women we have to participate, the better for the society.
“Women are naturally compassionate and if they are at the helm of affairs, they would know how to look after the nation.”
Secondus, however, urged women in the media to use their position to publicise the women folk, adding that the party leadership was behind the women to ensure their political advancement.
He said: “We would give you the support and we will give the National Woman Leader the support to drive this process.”
Secondus also charged the women to take practical steps to mobilise others at the grassroots and to move to the local areas if they most realise their political ambitions, saying that it was not enough to organise media conferences.
He charged the women not to be intimidated by the opposition parties, assuring that the PDP is the largest party and cannot be intimidated by the antics of the opposition.
He said: “They have just started and they cannot meet us and whatever they are doing in the media is gymnastics.
“The reality is that the PDP is firmly rooted.
“Do not allow them to change your perception.
“Do not be afraid.
“They are not in control.
“All they want to do is to send down the spirit of fear.”
Earlier, Chikwe had said that women politicians could not achieve their ambitions in 2015 without the effective collaboration with the media.
Chikwe expressed the need for positive and effective media coverage of the activities of women politicians and urged women to work together for their success.
“We all need to work hands-in-glove in our drive for increased women’s representation in political positions,” she said.
Trending
- OSUN: NANS seeks intervention from Governor Adeleke, threatens protest over fee hike, palliative
- Easter Celebration: IGP orders round-the-clock water-tight security at all public spaces
- Kogi poll: SDP witness contradicts self on alleged ‘affidavit forgery’ against Governor Ododo
- No BoT in Labour Party, spokesman dismisses takeover claims
- Nigerian writer urges preservation of literary heritage amid writer shortage
- Health professionals brainstorm in Abuja, seek drug free society
- CAF announce dates for Champions League, Confederation Cup Finals
- Tayo Ayinde withdraws suit against Gani Adams, restates commitment to peace