Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Felix Hyat, on Monday said that he would contest for the chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna state.
Nationwide congresses of PDP began on Saturday at the ward level, with the local government and state cadres coming up on May 7 and May 10, respectively.
Hyat said in Jos, Plateau, that he had consulted widely on his ambition and was determined to see it through.
“Yes, I will contest the PDP chairmanship seat in Kaduna State; that, I can tell you confidently,” he said.
The former minister, who was in Jos to monitor PDP’s ward congress, said that he had been convinced by his friends to go into the race.
“I have been convinced by my friends with whom we started the PDP together, to go for the top seat in the state.
“My friends convinced me that what the party needed was a very experienced and pragmatic leader to restart its building process,” he said.
He said that the party was “down” and needed experienced hands to lift it up.
Hyat said that he had abundant experience in leadership and was well positioned to lead PDP’s re-building process having been a minister, Secretary to Kaduna State Goverment, chief of staff, local goverment chairman and legislator.
“I have also been Kaduna State financial secretary of the party, served in various committees and was also the state chairman of the unregistered Peoples Progressive Party in Kaduna State,” he added.
He promised to reposition PDP to meet the task of a credible opposition that would offer constructive criticism which would keep the ruling party on its toes “for the benefit of Nigerians”.
Hyat also said that he would run an all-inclusive administration if the party was entrusted into his hands, adding that he would address the issue of impunity which had affected the fortunes of the party over time.
He advised party leaders against arrogance and disregard for members, and suggested the need to take the party back to the members because “ultimate democratic power belong to them”.
He said that priority would be given to reconciliation of aggrieved persons, groups and interests, assuring that he would create an atmosphere where people would express their views so as to make for genuine reconciliation.
The aspirant decried the party’s leaders’ attitude of abandoning the practice of reaching out to losers after every election, and promised to bring back that policy.
According to him, the practice is always a vehicle for carrying every member along so as to ensure a sense of belonging to all.
He claimed that his chances of clinching the seat was “very bright”, saying that he was one elder that the party in the state could turn to, to effect genuine reconciliation “even with those that have jumped ship “.
