A delegation of the 36 State Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and that of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have commiserated with their Rivers State counterpart, Felix Obuah, following the death of his father, late Elder Bethel Obuah.
The PDP Chairmen, under the auspices of Association of State PDP Chairmen, arrived the residence of Bro. Obuah in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt, Thursday, August 11, 2016, where they took their turns to sign the condolence register.
Led on the visit by the Acting Chairman of the Association, Alhaji Yahaya Suleiman, the visitors told their host that the passing on of his father had left them with a deep sense of loss, as according to them, injury to one is injury to all.
Alhaji Suleiman, the FCT PDP Chairman, said the death of late Bethel Obuah at the ripe age of 85, came as a shock to the association, especially at the time when the PDP was gearing for its National Convention scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt
on August 17, 2016.
The ‘Chairman of Chairmen,’ as Alhaji Suleiman is also called, declared: “Heavy as the news of your father’s death is, we take solace in the fact that you are imbued with a great heart; and it is only men with such strong heart that can withstand the shock of a father’s death especially at a time the responsibility of hosting the whole nation rests squarely on your shoulders”
The Association’s Chairman gave the hint that the Chairmen would give their Rivers counterpart the needed support to ensure successful burial of the departed octogenarian.
Alhaji Suleiman assured Bro. Obuah that the Association was resolute on the Port Harcourt Convention, and would do everything at its disposal to ensure its success.
“Three months ago, we came to Port Harcourt and resolved that there shall be another Convention in 90 days time. We are resolute that the Convention will hold.
“All chapters of our great party, the PDP, are resolute and focused on the Convention. There will be no postponement, God’s willing. It will hold on the 17th August, 2016, as scheduled. We are made up and will do all that is required to make it happen,” he enthused.
Responding, Rivers PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah, expressed gratitude to his colleagues, who in spite of their tight schedules still found it necessary to come and identify with him in his moment of grief, adding that the visit will remain indelible in his mind.
Obuah, while acknowledging the pain he felt following the departure of his father, whom he described as his best friend and ally, however declared that he would not question God who brought him and decided to call him back at this period.
“My only concern, as I have often said, is what to do to give my late father a befitting burial. I need to give him the burial he deserves, having lived beyond the biblical age of 70,” he said, adding however that the solidarity from colleagues and other well-wishers gave the hope that all that was needed for a successful burial was already available.
Obuah assured that despite his bereavement, he remained focused on the Party National Convention and thanked the PDP family for supporting the Markafi-led administration. “In spite of what has happened to me, I want to assure you all that preparations for the Convention are in top gear, including security. It will hold on 17th August, 2016, as planned.
“We are not joking over this Convention because the officers who will emerge from this Convention are people who will take over the realm of leadership come 2019. PDP will not play dirty politics. We must speak with one voice to make sure the best are elected. We want to ensure peace; and no one will truncate our quest for a peaceful Convention,” Obuah declared.
