By Dirisu Yakubu

ABUJA-A former Minister of Women Affairs and aspirant for the office of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman (North), Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma has pledged to change the image of the party if given the mandate at the December 9 convention.

She also warned  party leaders against imposing of candidates on the party, explaining that the practice contributed in no small measure to the defeat of the party in 2015.

Fielding questions from newsmen after submitting her Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, Ciroma, a former Women Leader of the party said the next crop of National Working Committee (NWC) members must work tirelessly to reposition the PDP for the challenges ahead.

“We lost power and we have seen the difference. Now that we have lost election, we must go back to the drawing board to reposition our party. This change they are talking about is not change. PDP will bring positive change. ‎When PDP regains power, women will enjoy.

“So we must take the party back to the people. I am calling on our leaders not to derail on the mission and vision of our founding fathers. If PDP is killed, there is no democracy in Nigeria.

“Women are pleading to be recognised as contributors to this party. Women have paid their dues; we want to be taken seriously. We have ideas that we can ‎contribute to the success of this party. If we get the convention right, PDP has come back. We must avoid imposition which has brought the party to where we are now,” she said.

On the way forward, she added: “We believe that so many things have gone wrong in the PDP so we have to chart a new course. We must ensure popular participation.”

Earlier in his welcome speech,  the National Organising Secretary of the party,  Senator Abdul Ningi said, “you won’t regret serving this party. I am sure you will offer more than what I am saying. If you happen to win election, no doubt, you will win, Gods willing. Your focus should be on building this party.”