Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FSB International Bank Plc, Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has said that the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has the vision and boldness to lead the party to recapture power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.
Hayatu-Deen, who is also an economist, said this on Sunday, at an interactive session with leaders of the PDP, Borno State chapter, at Forsham Event Hall, Maiduguri.
Alhaji Hayatu-Deen also used the occasion to formally declare his intention to join the membership of the PDP.
However, the former chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), identified the astute personality of Dr. Ayu, as one of the profound reasons for standing with the PDP.
Besides, he added that they both share a common view that the Nigerian people are better off if everyone joins forces to build a united, inclusive, equitable and just society.
Alhaji Hayatu-Deen, who was Dr. Ayu’s classmate and friend from their early days in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said throughout their academic days and in the decades that have ensued, they have remained glued as intellectual soul mates and sparring partners.
He said, “The Peoples Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in Nigeria, and it has a national outlook. As a matter of fact, PDP was a pioneer party when Nigeria came out of military rule 21 years ago and ruled the country for 16 years. In the period that it was on the saddle, it had accumulated substantial experience in governing.
“In the 6 years hence that it has been in opposition, I believe it has had time to reflect on its achievements and failures and it seems apparent that it has taken some lessons on board as it reboots its strategy to recapture power in 2023.
“But one of my most profound reasons for standing with the PDP has to do with my abiding faith and implicit trust in Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the newly minted Chairman of the Party. Dr. Ayu is a uniquely gifted and astute political leader and statesman who has the vision, the boldness and courage of his conviction to provide the kind of leadership that the party and the nation deserve at this hour of need.”
While expressing his desire to contribute to economic well-being of the Nigerian people as well as the burning issues of insecurity on the platform of the PDP, the former Presidential Advisory Committee member, stressed the need for citizens’ action and participation in political affairs.
“One of the commendable traditions of the Peoples Democratic Party for most of its governing history lies in its ability to foster a climate conducive to cross-fertilisation of ideas, openness and debate.”
He also used the occasion to explain the efforts of his NGO, the Renaissance Development Forum, at devoting considerable intellectual and financial resources towards the vexing issue of the 14 million out-of-school children.
“Similarly, in my home state of Borno, we have recently kick-started a nascent NGO – Borno Development Foundation – which seeks to foster long-term sustainable development in Borno State as a means of fast-tracking the reconstruction, rehabilitation and transformation of the state during the post insurgency phase,” he said.
