THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West yesterday said the only way to reclaim the zone in 2015 election is for all aggrieved members to close ranks and work together.
Besides, it declared that no individual or group would be allowed to control the party at all levels.
"The only way we can win the next elections and regain what we lost in the South-West is for all our members, including those who left the party to come together as one."
Zonal Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kayode Babade, in a statement, said although the electorate in the South-West is favourably disposed to the PDP, members on their part must manage their differences maturely to create a party of focus that can take over from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the various states."
Babade however urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to be mindful of situations where reports submitted during its meetings are already subjects of public discuss even before the end of the meeting.
"It is dangerous for our party for people to be sending text messages to disclose what was being discussed at sensitive party meetings as that of the NWC even while the meeting was still going on.
"We wish to state once again that the South-West executive will not succumb to blackmail from any individual or group whose sole aim is to have the party in their pockets.
"As maintained by the zonal Chairman, Chief Segun Oni, there are two sets of contenders for the party here in the South-West. There are those who are after the party they can control by making the PDP small enough to fit into their pockets and those who are after what their party can control by making their party big enough to win elections and control power at state and local government levels.
"If PDP must bounce back and regain what we have lost, we should never allow those who are after the party they can control by making the party small enough to fit into their pockets to have their way. PDP should be a party for all and that is the agenda we are pursuing."
While assuring that the current executive has no personal score to settle with anyone, Babade said party members must be united and pursue a common goal.
"What we are after is a strong and united party and whatever that it will require to achieve this should be supported by all members of the party.
"As for us in the zonal exco, if it means sacrificing our positions for the party to be united and be able to win elections, we are ready. For us, no sacrifice should be too much to make our party big enough to win elections and control power at state and local government levels," Babade said.
