PDP youth: Our leaders must get rid of corrupt elements before tackling APC

The Peoples Democratic Party national youth frontier (PDPNYF) has urged the party leadership to “get rid of corrupt elements” before it can present itself as an acceptable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued on Monday by Usman Austin, PDPNYF coordinator, youth called on the party’s national working committee (NWC) to “kill every trace of corruption in our midst before anything else.”

While congratulating the Ahmed Makarfi-led NWC on its recent victory at the supreme court, the youth said genuine reconciliatory efforts should be put in place within the party.

They, however, urged the party leaders to ensure that “loyalty and integrity are not sacrificed on the altar of reconciliation,” adding that “steps must be taken to ensure that things are done properly this time.”

“While genuine moves should be made to reconcile all groups and interests, there is need to also ensure that members who did not betray the ideals of the party in its difficult times are not side-lined in the new processes that will emerge,” the statement read.

“The PDPNYF fully agrees with the NWC on the need for a national convention of the party to be convened immediately so a proper working structure can be created within the shortest possible time in the interest of advancement and progress.

“The PDPNYF observes that the PDP cannot be positioning itself as an acceptable alternative to the APC while harbouring corrupt elements in its midst and allowing them handle sensitive positions in the various organs of the party. We must quickly kill every trace of corruption in our midst before anything else.

“The PDPNYF is grateful to God for seeing us through this period of turbulence. We are confident that with the current leadership agenda of the Sen. Makarfi led interim NWC, the PDP will rise to take its place as an ideal opposition party and the government in waiting.”

It also urged the party leadership to ensure that only candidates who emerge through the “most appropriate methods must be endorsed and recognised” at the forthcoming convention.

“In the spirit of fellowship, we must jointly make patriotic efforts to kill the twin evil of impunity and imposition of candidates at all levels starting from the forthcoming national convention which is in itself our first test of unity and readiness to be an ideal opposition,” the statement added.