Pearl Acho-Osueke, Abakaliki
Following his appointment as the Chairman of the 15-member Ebonyi State Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee, Barr. Steve Oruruo has vowed to position the PDP to win further elections in the state.
Oruruo made this known during a courtesy visit to the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, recently, having made similar visits to the leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Security Service (DSS) in the state.
According to Oruruo, the strongest point or part of an opposition party was unity, noting that the people of the state were in dire need of an alternative party, and he said the PDP would fill the gap soon.
“‘PDP has bounced back in Ebonyi. If you are passing through the secretariat, you will see signs that the party is bouncing back.
“But the party must admit that it is an opposition party, and as an opposition party, they have to stay united. The strongest point or part of an opposition party is that sense of unison, that sense of oneness.
“If they remain very strong, united, and in accord with a clear vision, they are going to triumph. So, our target is to provide a party that will run and win elections in Ebonyi.
“We want a party that people can trust and say, Let their first eleven join this party and win elections for their people.
“We want to create a plurality of opinion; we want a situation where people will have a chance to talk from another perspective. A society without an opposition party is deemed for life.
“So, we need a vibrant opposition party to put pressure on the sitting government to even perform better. It serves the people well that we have a very strong PDP in the state,” Oruruo stated.
Explaining that the police was a paramount partner to the PDP, he called for security in the activities of the party in the state.
“We understand the magnitude of risk, sacrificial efforts and the overall collective benefits rising from the doorsteps of the Nigerian police force. Your exploits on the sand of time resonate with the ideals of our sustained democracy.
“The leadership recruitment ideology and processes cannot be genuinely and creditably completed without the well-established ingenuity, dexterity and the manifest competences of the Nigerian police.
“On this premise, I am convinced that we are partners in the quest for a better country.
“Therefore, I have no doubt in my mind that we need a strong opposition in Ebonyi that can win elections and also pile pressure on the ruling party to perform better. So, I reiterate the truism that EBONYI needs a strong opposition to thrive.
“We consequently demand that this command within this time provide us an enabling environment and necessary security protection in line with the dictates of the constitution, the Police Act and the rule of law”.
Finally Oruruo promised to drive a process that will make the job of the Command easy.
The CP while addressing the caretaker committee and thanking God, praised the resilient and courageous men and women of her command for the outstanding performances and the relatively peaceful atmosphere that the state has consistently enjoyed. She professed that there were no political interferences obstructing justice in her command.
She promised to provide an enabling environment for every political party in the state to function optimally. She also promised to be fair and decisive in dealing with official matters without recourse to sentiments or biases of any kind.
Pacesetter reports that the PDP secretariat in Abakaliki has become a beehive of activities following Steve Oruruo’s determination to reposition the party for good.
