PDP still the strongest party, says ex-President

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still the strongest that the country has to offer.

While addressing a delegation of former Speakers of House of Assemblies in his Abuja office on Thursday, September 29, 2017, the former president said the party is the strongest despite losing the 2015 presidential elections to the ruling All Progressives' Congress (APC).

He said the PDP performed well during its 16-year rule, saying the party helped the country with a "number of reforms it introduced and implemented."

He also said thathe will reveal certain things that led to his loss to President Muhammadu Buhari two years ago at the appropriate time.

According to him, "PDP is still the strongest party. We know the reason why we lost the elections.

"At the appropriate time, some of these things would be properly addressed because of history. There are certain things you don’t write now because it would be misunderstood as if you are playing politics.

"After some years, five, six or eight years, when the beneficiaries have left, you can state it in writing."

In preparations for the upcoming general elections in 2019, former President Jonathan also warned the party about adopting new structures for the party to help its cause.

He urged the party's leadership to review its constitution regarding the election of candidates and national officers.

He said the party should review the party's statutory delegates' option, especially for the state and local government primaries, to avoid internal clashes within the party.

He said those who had served at certain levels, including governorship, ministerial and parliamentary positions at all levels, should be made statutory delegates.

"That is the area we have not been able to manage properly and it is still creating problem for us. I believe the next constitution amendment should advocate that area to be properly examined.

"From my own experience, if that area is strengthened, the party will be okay and nobody will complain at the end of primaries. If you lose, you lose gallantly and you support the person that wins," he said.

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The former president also praised forum members for their dedication to the party, saying the group will be instrumental to the party reclaiming power in 2019.