By Gabriel Ewepu
ABUJA – AS the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gears up for its national convention at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, an aspiring candidate for the party’s national youth leader position, Hon. Ben Bara Ogidi, has charged the party stalwarts to place the party’s interest above selfish ambition.

Ogidi, popularly called ‘OBB’ made the statement as he expressed optimism over success of the convention to be held on May 21, 2016, where he said the party leadership should learn from the misfortune and calamity that befell the party, which led to massive exodus of key party figures and eventual lost of the presidential election and some governorship elections.

Ogidi said: “The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, remains intact even in the face of losing elections and there is a gradual build up of the party structure after the shock of losing the presidential and some governorship elections, and also state and national assembly elections.

“Well, it is still very imperative to mention as a major stakeholder of the party that the National Executive Committee, NEC, and other party stalwarts should be careful and transparent in conducting the forthcoming national convention at Port Harcourt, Rivers State. They should place the party interest above their personal interest for a successful convention.

“I am stating this because as a party we ought to learn our lessons of failure and allow justice and equity to reign. If the party leadership sticks to the constitution of the party and also adopt the Ekweremadu-led committee’s recommendations PDP will bounce back.”

Concerning his ambition for the position of national youth leader of the party, Ogidi said he made the decision because the youth are the future of the party and are supposed to be in charge of the affairs of the party because they have the numbers and strength to keep it going.

“My ambition is borne out of the vision I have concerning the future of our great party, which Nigerian youth are now looking up to for solution to their problem. I am out to ensure that there is a blend of wisdom from elders of the party and vigour of young people to make our party great and take its rightful place in the political environment in this country.

“My mission is to mobilise young people to register with the party and make them card carrying members also, and to give them the needed opportunity to vie for political positions, contest and win elections in their wards, local government areas, state assemblies and also at the national assembly.

“My aim is to politically empower young people and make them productive to the party and Nigerians on our party’s platform. You will see in 2019 the youth will massively give their support to deliver candidates of the party”, he said.