Mr. Alex Ladan.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – A gubernatorial aspirant in Plateau State, Mr. Alex Ladan, says the crisis facing the PDP would be resolved and the party will be strong to take over power in 2023.
Ladan, having contested the same seat in 2019 on the platform of the Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN and recently joined the PDP was optimistic that the party will make positive impacts in the election year.
He said people believe that PDP is the party with capacity to implement a manifesto that will improve the lot of citizens of Plateau and Nigeria.
Speaking with our correspondent in Jos, Mr. Ladan said, “The PDP is deeply rooted in the fabric of the state, we saw that in the different polling units, it is very clear that people made a very clear statement that the PDP for them is the party of choice.
“Since it is about the people, we have to respect the opinion of the people and I must say that based on my personal observation, almost all the political parties have good manifestoes, the major issue we have always had is implementation.
“Putting the PDP and APC together, we found out that the people that have shown the willingness to work are found in the PDP. It is a better deal because what should be implemented to better the lot of the people to some extent is very realistic within the PDP.”
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On the problems facing the party, he noted, “Let me start with the state, one thing I have realised is that because of the commitment of the people to the PDP, even in the midst of the crises, one would have expected that people will dump the party and leave but you find out that we are insisting that we must remain.
“That tells that the people’s commitment and loyalty is still to the PDP. The people are determined to remain and that determination will make them overcome the problems, these issues will be resolved, there is a caretaker committee in place with a responsibility to ensure that aggrieved members are able to find common ground to sheathe their sword and forge a very formidable force that will be strong enough to wrestle power out of the current government.
On his desire to govern the state, Ladan added, “Leadership is a trust and, in this context, to be a governor is a trust not just by the people but by God and God entrusts such responsibilities because He believes that you have the capacity to care for the people.
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“A leader needs to create space for everyone to live up to their potential but as a state, we are far below our potential individually and collectively. We are blessed on every side yet it appears we are struggling to survive. There is over dependence on revenue allocation when you have a lot to harness within you that will give you more results. It requires a lot of thinking outside the box.”
On security, he explained, “First, we must find ways of uniting the people of Plateau because it is only when we are united that we will be able to stand and conquer our common enemy. As it stands, we are a divided people and it is easier for the enemy or the perpetrators of this evil to deal with us in fragments because they understand that we are weak once we are fragmented.
“The people of Plateau state must understand that we are one because if someone is coming to attack a community, he has to pass through another community so if we understand that it is a common fight, then everybody will be on alert. We must find a common ground to be united and say, you are my brother and stop relating attacks to an ethnic group.”
