Benue Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Youth Forum, BPDPYF, has endorsed the Candidature of Engr. Utaan Terhide Conrad for PDP National Chairman.
The group made the declaration Monday in a press conference held in Makurdi addressed by its President, Prince Tyodoo Livinus, and Deputy President, Hon. Mike Magaji.
Reason for endorsing endorsing Utaan for PDP National Chairman
It said it is time to rebuild the party after it lost in the 2023 general election to regain its lost glory to win future elections in Nigeria noting that the new spirit needed in the PDP can be achieved by a de-tribalized, and young committed member of the party from the North Central geopolitical zone of the country to pilot the affairs of the party.
The group emphasized that Utaan fits into the criteria to man the office of the National Chairman of PDP and the decision to endorse Utaan is based on his wealth of political experience.
BPDPYF equally passed a vote of confidence on the acting National Chairman of our party, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun and the leader of the PDP in Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom.
Statement of endorsing endorsing Utaan for PDP National Chairman
The statement reads in parts: “The Benue PDP Youth Forum, a coalition of concerned young PDP elites having carefully observed and x-rayed recent developments in our great party with keen interest especially as it concerns the dwindling fortunes of our dear party the Peoples Democratic Party in Nigeria pre and post 2023, we have arrived at the decision to join hands with other leaders of the PDP to rebuild , strengthen, reunite and reposition our party to regain its lost glory to win future elections in Nigeria .
“We have also come to terms that to achieve the aforementioned, our party needs a de-tribalized, tireless, vibrant, young, energetic, hardworking and committed member of the party from the North Central geopolitical zone of the country to pilot the affairs of the party so as to unite men and women , young and the elderly to set aside their differences, diverse interests and come together to reclaim the lost glory of our party.
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“After a thorough search and retrospect, we have found a grassroot mobilizer , a man of the people, a charismatic Leader, Hon. Engr. Utaan Terhide Conrad with the desired qualities and we make bold at this juncture to endorse his candidature for the exalted position of the National Chairman of our party, the PDP .
“The decision is predicated on the fact that Engineer Utaan is well schooled, he is an all rounder , he is both the man of the youth and the elderly . He has what it takes to bring together all aggrieved members of the party to resolve all differences on a round table . He represents a true Nigerian without tribal and religious sentiments , he is humble and easy going and above all , he is loved by all.
“In addition to his robust educational background, leadership qualities, political sagacity and indefatigable spirit, Engr. Utaan is favoured by zoning. He is not only from North Central Nigeria , he is from Benue and the only aspirant from Benue North West Senatorial District (zone B) where the immediate past national chairman , Dr. Iyorchia Ayu hails from and should be considered the consensus candidate to replace the immediate past National Chairman.
“It is in line with the doctrine of the PDP and a non negotiable fact that the North Central should complete their tenure that has been truncated following the suspension of Dr. Ayu by his Igyorov Council ward EXCO and subsequent removal and it should also be non negotiable that the Zone B people of Benue state where Ayu hails from, should replace him .
“Let it be on record that any member of the PDP outside the Zone B axis of Benue where the ousted Chairman of the PDP , Dr. Ayu hails from who is aspiring to replace Ayu is either trying to violate the long existing doctrine of our party or being greedy and should be advised to drop such ambitions without fear of favour.
“To those raising concerns that Engr. Utaan is relatively young and inexperience, we put it to you that leadership is not gerontocracy and the wisdom of Solomon will always triumph on the age of Methuselah.
“May we also use this opportunity to pass a vote of confidence on the acting National Chairman of our party , Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun for the leadership he is providing for the party in acting capacity
“Similarly, we pass a vote of confidence on the leader of the PDP in Benue State , His Excellency , Chief Samuel Ortom and urge him to shun mudslinging and be steadfast to fastrack the rebuilding and rebranding process of the PDP in Benue
Read: Benue PDP Youth Forum endorses Utaan for PDP National Chairman
“Finally , we congratulate our party members who have emerged victorious in the just concluded ward and local government congresses of the PDP in Benue and Nigeria at large . PDP will bounce back in 2027.”
