A group within the northern branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), called Arewa PDP Transparency Group, has stated that Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, is the best candidate to serve as the national leader of the party.

The group’s endorsement of Wike comes ahead of the PDP’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, saying that the minister is the most qualified candidate for the position not only at the meeting but also in the future.

The group in a statement on Monday, April 15, by its convener, Hon. Haruna Bature, said the PDP as the biggest opposition party in Africa has suffered a lot of leadership crises, hence it cannot at this critical time be left in the hands of self-serving leaders, who only show up when they have political interests.

The group said: “The attention of the Arewa PDP Transparency Group has been drawn to several media publications about who becomes the National Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to champion the state of affairs of the Party in the forthcoming National Executive Council Meeting and beyond.

“Leadership means care, concern and responsibility. It is not self-serving, not periodic and not spontaneous. The PDP as the biggest opposition party in Africa has suffered a lot of Leadership Crises which resulted in its loss of Power at the National Level from 2015 till date.

“These crises are largely self-inflicted due to insensitivity, lack of political vision, lack of care, concern and respect for the Vision of the Founding Fathers of the Party, and for the yearnings and aspirations of the Nigerian Citizenry. Charity, they say, begins at home.

“A party whose leadership cannot take care of its own and showing good leadership definitely cannot take care of Nigeria and offer good Leadership.

“We wish to particularly bring to the attention of the Leadership of the Party that the Fears by some PDP Leaders about His Excellency, Chief Barr. E. N. Wike’s appointment in an APC Government was born out of jealousy, hate, bitterness, bias and blindness to the political reality that the failure of the PDP to ensure power rotation to the South led to its loss of power at the centre.

“If such fears are genuine as they claim, why was the PDP still able to win Governorship and other elections in States across the Nation?

“We the Arewa PDP Transparency Group having assessed the performances of these Leaders say “NO” in strong terms to Self-Serving Leadership ONLY at times of political interest, Non-inclusivity, Lack of concern, sustenance and responsibility in the management of the affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party and hereby endorse His Excellency, Chief Barr. Ezebuwon Nyesom Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS Africa and Life Bencher as the National Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party.”