Despite the flurry of defections to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still the party to beat, according to its recently-ousted national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
Speaking on Monday while receiving members of the National Consolidated Group (NCG), a pressure group within the party, Tukur also pledged his loyalty to the ruling party, despite the failure — in the end — of his best efforts to hang on to the chairmanship of the party, amidst widespread opprobrium.
“I will continue to serve the PDP and work for the party, for in the PDP lies the greatest hope for a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria”, he assured.

Describing PDP as the only reliable platform to serve Nigeria better, he appealed to the governors and other leading PDP figures who have decamped to the APC to return to the ruling party.
“PDP is solid, intact and united as ever. This is evidenced by the influx of politicians to the PDP”, Tukur boasted.
“Many more politicians, men and women of goodwill will still join the party. Truly, PDP is the party to beat. I enjoin all members of the PDP family who have defected to other parties to have a rethink and return to the fold”.
He urged all members of the party to work for its peace and unity, and similarly implored Nigerians to vote en masse for PDP at the 2015 general elections.
Tukur voluntarily resigned his chairmanship of PDP on 16th January 2014, following repeated calls for his resignation, championed by various sections of the party, most notably members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and aggrieved governors and lawmakers.
President Goodluck Jonathan then compensated him five days later by naming him Chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).