PDP must win Borno in 2015 — Minister

Mohammad Wakil, the Minister of State for Power, on Monday expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will win Borno State in the 2015 gubernatorial polls, going by recent developments.

Mr. Wakil said this at a news conference attended by all PDP senior officials in Maiduguri.

He said that those in attendance had decided to abandon their differences, with a view to uniting to fight a common front.

“We in Borno are in a state of mourning over the insurgency that has claimed so many lives.

“But we are also working towards bringing a lasting change come 2015 general elections,” Mr. Wakil said.
He added: “Change is a must in Borno in 2015 for the prosperity of our people.

“We have collectively resolved to put aside our differences to pave way for the imminent change.”

Mr. Wakil stated that no amount of federal appointments could take the place of a state government.

He expressed the need for Borno to return to national politics, to achieve a fast tracked development as from 2015.

“We now have a golden opportunity to win the state and change our history of losses to victory and collective prosperity.

“We have the rare opportunity to add the state government to the long list of PDP states,” Mr. Wakil said.
He said that the party members were not satisfied with getting federal appointments alone.

“No amount of federal opportunities, including that of a minister, can take the place of a state government.

“Our target is therefore to install a PDP-led Borno State Government in 2015; we must unite further for us to achieve this goal; we must be conscious that we are seeking to vote out a seating government,” Wakil said.

He said that the party had become stronger in the state, following “non-performance by the ruling APC”.

“We can do it because we are now one united family, with the entire Borno people solidly behind us.

“The Almighty Allah has granted us unity. We now have a pan Borno agenda, supported by all and designed to take our state to higher height,” the minister said.

“I thank Allah that this is happening in my time as the leader of our great party in this state.

“I am elated that division among our leaders which had cost us several electoral losses is now a thing of the past; our capacity to keep PDP strong and virile to this point is legendary.

“Our success manifests even more as it attracts politicians of substance into our fold,” he said.

Mr. Wakil used the occasion to formally welcome former Gov. Ali Modu Sheriff and his supporters to the PDP from the APC.

“It is on this note that I declare that we fully accept and welcome distinguished Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, a former Gov. of Borno and other leaders with their followers from the APC to the PDP.

“We also welcome into the PDP all those who had come earlier and those who are yet to come; our doors are open,” he said.

(NAN)