PDP out to rescue Nigeria from ‘confused’ APC, says Ugochukwu

Ahead of its national convention, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said that the party was on a mission to rescue the nation from confusion and strife the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government imposed on the people.

Besides, the party pointed out that in just one year of APC’s administration led government; Nigerians are yearning for the return of the PDP to power.

A statement issued by the Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee National Convention Committee, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, said that PDP would position itself properly as the main opposition party after the convention by providing alternative governance.

According to him, PDP WOULD remain a solution-driven political Party to help the government in power, and
reposition itself to regain power in 2019 for the common good of the nation.

He said that the successful outcome of the Port Harcourt National Convention would usher in fresh leaders that would manage the affairs of the party, “in order to rescue Nigerians from confusion and strife that the APC-led government has imposed on all of us.”

“In only one year of APC led government, Nigerians are yearning for the return of the PDP to power given the fast disappearing democratic gains the Party achieved in 16 years of its administration. It is noteworthy that all the values associated with our great country as the giant of Africa and the fastest growing economy in Africa is being eroded.

“Just last week, South Africa has overtaken Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa; herdsmen attack and kidnapping is becoming more prevalent; ethnic and tribal agitation for self-determination is on the increase; and the government of the day is helpless in providing solution to all of these numerous problems bedeviling our dear Nation. We are ready to make amends as a Party and we are working with all stakeholders across
the Country to restore our past glory,” the party said.

It, however advised the delegates to vote for the candidates of their choice.

Meanwhile, Efforts to reconcile the warring factions in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have failed as key stakeholders in the party abandoned previous peace arrangements for their different political interests.

Chairman of the reconciliatory committee, Professor J‎erry Gana, had weekend announced that the convention, which was one of the contentious issues for the reconciliation, would hold as scheduled in Port Harcourt.

The embattled former chairman of the PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff was said to have breached major terms for the reconciliation by allegedly abusing key stakeholders in the peace process publicly at a television programme Sunday night.

In addition, both parties were in separate courts on Monday seeking for one court ruling on the other, a development that equally breached the terms of the reconciliation process.

Blaming some PDP governors for the crisis in the party, Sheriff had revealed how a former Aviation minister and head of the PD‎P media campaigns in the 2015 Presidential election, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, sent several persons to beg him (Sheriff) for forgiveness after alleging that he initiated the Boko Haram terrorism.

But in a fierce reaction Fani-Kayode‎, described Sheriff as a man without integrity adding that the former Borno state governor was a curse to PDP.

He also explained how former President Olusegun Obasanjo allegedly used Sheriff, when he was in power to destroy All Peoples Party (APP), claiming that President Muhammadu Buhari was using him currently to destroy PDP.

Sheriff had on Sunday night in an interview with Channels Television revealed that, but for former President Goodluck Jonathan and 20 others, who came to beg him, he would have taken Fani-Kayode to court for calling him a Boko Haram.

Fani-Kayode, in a statement he personally signed on Monday, reacted to Sheriff’s interview, saying that the former Borno state governor lied.

He said: “Lying Ali Modu Sheriff told Channels TV last night that I sent people to beg him for claiming that he was Boko Haram. These are the lies of a desperate and drowning man.”

Fani-Kayode pointed out that the Sheriff’s mission in PDP was to destroy the party; just the way he did to other political parties he had a stint.

“He came to destroy the PDP and if we did not rise up against him and kick him out when we did he would have succeeded in his mission. I am proud to have been the first to see him for what he is and to publicly blow the whistle on him.