By Abdul-Rahman Abubakar

Speaking yesterday at the policy retreat organized by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party for candidates flying its flag in the next general elections, Obasanjo said: “I cannot vouch for up to 15 governors in the country irrespective of party affiliation who have performed.”

The president expressed hope that the next crop of state executives will reverse the trend. He said if the country can have at least 24 governors and federal government performing in the next dispensation then the nation will achieve the desired rapid development.

The Senate President Chief Ken Nnamani and Speaker of the House of Reps, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari as well as several PDP governors were absent on the first day of the retreat.

Obasanjo said his govern-ment would ensure the conti-nuity of the present reform programs by establishing National Council for Reforms and Transformation.
He said: “Any living and dynamic human organization must constantly reform and transform if it is not to remain stagnant.”

Obasano added that the reforms are yet to be completed and has not reached the stage of irreversibility. He said: “we need to build a critical mass of believers in the reform process, believers in democracy and good governance, believers in the fight against corruption and in transparency, due process and accountability.”

The former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Mr. P. J. Patterson who delivered a paper on the world’s expectations from Nigeria said the international community expects the next general elections in the country to be free and fair.

He said: “Nigeria is also expected to harness its abundant human and natural resources towards development in the areas of housing, water, roads and environment.”

Mr. Patterson said democracy remains the best form of government despite all its imperfection, he therefore called for increased freedom of information and popular participation as part of an effort to encourage civil rule in Africa.

In his welcome address, the national chairman of the party, Senator Ahmadu Ali said the PDP would help all its candidates in the next elections to victory.
He said: “we want to assist you to prepare and enhance your capacity for the arduous campaigns ahead of all of us.”

Ali said that the forum is aimed at sensitizing the PDP flag bearers in the presidential, governorship, national and state assemblies’ polls on the new party manifesto.

“Our goal is to make PDP one of the most modern democratic parties in the world, which is reform minded, rule driven, result oriented and agenda setting organization,” he said.

Speaking on the internal problems that greeted the conduct of the party primaries and convention, Ali sais: “A party as large as the PDP can not function without some rancor.”

He however said, “as members of the same family, we must be guided by our common goals by channeling all our energies towards achieving total victory for the party.”

Present at the opening ceremony of the three day retreat were; President Obasanjo, Senator Idris Mantu, Governors Yar’adua, Akuma, Oyinlola, Mu’azu, Goodluck, Botmang.

Among founding members of the party present were; former vice President Alex Ekwueme, Adamu Ciroma, Bernabas Gemade and Babagana Kingibe.

The retreat is an effort of the PDP to acquaint candidates with the minimum qualities and expectations on every elected political office holder on the platform of the PDP.

PDP hopes to realize its vision 20, 20, 20 which targets at placing Nigeria among the twenty most developed nations in the world by the year 2020.
Among those that presented papers on the first day of the retreat were; Professor Akin Mabogunje, Pofessor Fidelis Oditah, Malam Nasir el-Rufai and Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

The retreat enters its second day today, with papers to be delivered by former Secretary General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and General Aliyu Gusau (rtd).