The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has urged its newly elected lawmakers to join incumbent party members in both houses of the National Assembly to work in unison as “one family”.
Ambassador Umar Damagum, acting National Chairman of the PDP, made the appeal on Saturday, at a retreat for party members, newly elected to the Senate and House of Representatives.
Damagum said the members must work together to make impact as the party in opposition.
“In order to remain relevant, we must work together as one family. That’s the only way you’ll be able to ensure your relevance,” he said.
He further averred that it was a “very crucial” period in the history of the PDP, adding that how its members navigated present events would determine the progress of the party in the near future.
He congratulated the officials on their success in the recent elections and decried the “many” challenges of the polls, saying, “perhaps the 2023 election will go down as the worst conducted.”
According to him, Nigeria was given hope that the elections would be free and fair, following the passage of the Electoral Act, which made provision for the development of technology, to make the process more transparent.
“The combination of BVAS and electronic transmission of results was to ensure seamless accreditation and transmission of results, but INEC simply chose to undermine,” he added.
“Let me also assure you of the party’s support all the way during your sojourn litigation. We’ll leave no stone unturned to reclaim our mandate that has been lost during this election.
“We’ve done well in this election. We know it and we have a responsibility to mobilise like minds to be a party that will be responsive to the aspirations of Nigerians.”
Some of the PDP officials present were the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and re-elected governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo)and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa).
