Professor Jerry Gana, former information minister and a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s 10-year rule as the most retrogressive period in Nigeria’s history.
Speaking at a pre-NEC conference of the PDP held in Abuja on Wednesday, Gana said the country had suffered severe setbacks under the APC, citing alarming statistics on insecurity, economic hardship, and loss of national cohesion.
He said: “Over 4,000 Nigerians were kidnapped and 1,500 killed in just the first half of 2024.
“Inflation has surpassed 33.95 per cent, the naira has lost over 765 per cent of its value since 2015, and over 133 million Nigerians now live in multidimensional poverty. This is not governance; this is regression.”
Gana said the PDP remains alive and mobilising “powerfully” for a return to good governance, peace, and national prosperity.
He urged the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to embrace unity, internal democracy, and to uphold the values on which the PDP was founded.
“The founding fathers of the PDP were deeply motivated by the desire to create a better society grounded in human rights, fairness, productivity, and ethical governance,” he said.
Gana also called on the party to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the south, saying a southern candidate would promote justice, inclusivity, and electoral advantage.
“In tune with the patriotic wisdom of our founding fathers, we urge our leaders to support a power shift to the South. This strategy will not only secure victory at the polls but also restore faith in fairness,” he said.
He asked the NEC to urgently convene a national convention to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC), stressing that the process must be transparent and credible.
“No more backroom deals or impositions. Delegates must be allowed to freely elect competent and loyal party leaders who will drive our resurgence,” he said.
Gana also urged the PDP to open more space for young people and women in both party leadership and elective offices.
“The PDP is rising again — reformed, responsive, and ready. We shall not rest until Nigeria is rescued and our democracy thrives. We shall rise again and triumph, triumphantly,” he declared.
