Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has reiterated that no individual is greater than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasizing the need for internal unity to strengthen the party.
Speaking at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, shortly after the inauguration of the party’s South-South zonal caretaker committee, led by Elder Emma Ogidi, Governor Diri stressed that resolving internal challenges requires collective commitment from all members.
“For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues. It is very easy to point accusing fingers, but the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others,” he said.
Diri, who also chairs the South-South Governors Forum, underscored that for the PDP to remain competitive as Nigeria’s oldest political party, it must focus on internal cohesion and discipline.
Addressing concerns over the party’s ability to manage dissent within its ranks, he stated, “We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party.”
The newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee, he noted, has been tasked by the National Working Committee to address pressing issues affecting the PDP in the South-South region.
Expressing confidence in the party’s direction, Diri highlighted unity among South-South PDP governors, revealing that he had received messages of solidarity from his counterparts in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states, while Delta State’s Deputy Governor was present at the event.
“In our zone, which is the only area in the country with four PDP governors, we have all resolved and are together on this. It shows that we are united, and what we need to do is provide leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP,” he concluded.