The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) has announced the inauguration of a new National Management Committee as well as 36 State Coordinators as it intensifies moves towards the 2015 political battles. One of the backbones of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the PDP is a legacy of the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and was revived about a year ago. It is being repositioned “to continue to be a leading player in the political development of Nigeria,” according to a communique of its meeting held last Tuesday, February 5, at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Among political heavyweights who addressed the meeting are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih.

The communiqué of the meeting signed by Members of Communique Committee comprising Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, Prince Tonye Princewill, and Murtala Shehu Musa Yar’Adua announced the inauguration of a new National Management Committee consisting of eight national officers to replace the National Steering Committee.

The communiqué, a copy of which was made available to News Express, gave the names of the new National Management Committee as Senator Abubakar Mahdi (National Chairman); Chief Bode Ajewole (Deputy National Chairman); Chief Dubem Onyia (National Secretary); Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim (Director of Research & Planning); Prince Tonye Princewill (Director of Organisation); Dame Titi Ajanaku (Director of Women Affairs); Alh. Murtala Shehu Yar’Adua (Director of Youth Affairs); and Abdullahi Shuaibu Yeman (Director of Finance).

It announced the formation of two new organs, a National Elders Committee and a National Caucus, but said the composition would soon be announced. Also contained in the communiqué is the appointment and inauguration of State Coordinators, Youth and Women Leaders for the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, as well as the approval of a new zonal, state, senatorial and LGA Management structure across the country.

“The PDM also reviewed current developments in Nigeria and lamented the culture of corruption and judicial collaboration which has engulfed the country. It condemned the recent sentencing of a convicted criminal for a period of two years with the option to pay a paltry N750,000 as fine for stealing a whopping sum of N33bn of pension funds. The light sentence handed down for this crime against Nigerians and, especially, against the millions of retirees who sacrificed their lives at their prime age, does not inspire confidence in the purported war against corruption in particular and in the nation’s judiciary as a whole,” the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué:

•The Movement received briefing on the ongoing merger talks among opposition political parties in the country and commended the opposition for its resolve to give Nigerians an alternative political platform. We call on all opposition political parties and organisations across the country to close ranks in order to provide Nigerians with a clear choice between conservative and progressive ideologies.

•While we are gladdened by the development, we implore the opposition to define its own identity based on progressive ideology, with clear and contrasting policies and programs capable of pulling Nigeria out of the current state of despoliation, despair and debasement. Telling Nigerians how bad things are simply won’t suffice. Clear and practical solutions are what Nigerians need. PDM is developing a clear roadmap for the entrenchment of profound national social, political and economic reforms which will lead to creating jobs, steady power supply, improved security, transparent and credible elections and bring corruption in all its manifestations to an end.

•The Movement resolved to open discussions with the organisations of like mind, with a view to finding common grounds on issues of principle, policy and strategy in order to move the Nigerian project to the next level. These discussions must be open, transparent and above all, in the best interest of the peace, unity, stability and economic progress of Nigeria and Nigerians AS A WHOLE. The era of Business As Usual should be dead and gone. Politicians must begin to do things differently, henceforth, in order to save Nigeria from imminent collapse. Nigerians are sick and tired of more of the same and are clamouring for change, a change which they deserve.

•Photo: PDM chieftain Atiku Abubakar