The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can win 30 out of the 36 states in Nigeria if it puts its house in order before the 2015 general elections, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF) has said.

Chief Godswill O. Akpabio, who is also Governor of Akwa Ibom State, said this while calling on the PDP National Chairman and the party hierarchy to ensure that reconciliation meetings are held at least twice a year to resolve some thorny issues in the party.

PDP currently holds 13 states but Akpabio believes that it could add seven more states in 2015. He spoke during PDP’s special zonal meeting presided over by the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, held Sunday at Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

“If we do this, I can assure you that PDP will win 30 states in the next election,” Akpabio said, adding: “We must compensate the disciples in each state. If you are not a good follower, you cannot be a good leader.”

He urged members of the party from the zone to see the success of President Goodluck Jonathan as the success of the South-South, noting that if the President does well this time, it would open doors for more South-South sons and daughters to become President of Nigeria in future.

“There is a hand of God in every position of leadership. Bayelsa is, perhaps, the smallest state in Nigeria but God decided to choose Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from Bayelsa State to become the President of Nigeria. We must all support our brother to succeed. For us, we shall not fail and we will never fail,” he stated.

In his speech, Alhaji Tukur assured that the National Working Committee (NWC) would do everything possible to strengthen the party, saying it belonged to the people.

“You (members) are the owners of PDP. We will ensure that the party is brought back to the owners of the party. Yes, there are disagreements, but we can reconcile our differences and still deliver our party in 2015,” Tukur said.

He thanked the PDP supporters for the “rousing” welcome accorded him both at the Port Harcourt International Airport and the venue of the meeting.

Also speaking, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said: “I join all my brothers in the South-South in welcoming you (Tukur). Even in my position as elected Governor, I must tell you this: even if you tar all the roads in the South-South without putting food on the table, our members will not appreciate the party. If you want to prevent our members from straying to other parties, you must put food in the stomach of our supporters.”

•Photo: Governor Akpabio.