8th January, 2015
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said with its popular candidates, verifiable record of performance and the vote of majority of the electorate, it will win the forthcoming general elections because it is the only party with genuine followers in Nigeria.
The party expressed the optimism in a statement issued by Oilsa Metuh, its National Publicity Secretary, on Wednesday in Abuja.
“The PDP stands out as the only party that commands genuine followership among Nigerians, irrespective of religious and ethnic affiliations.”
It said this would drive the voting pattern and reflect accordingly in the results of the presidential, governorship and other elections across the federation.
The statement said that the forthcoming elections were beyond propaganda and empty popularity claims in the social media, adding that the votes of Nigerians would count to secure victory for the PDP.
This, it said, would be so because the PDP was running on record of verifiable achievements of its elected and appointed officers at the federal and state levels of government.
It, however, noted that President Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP presidential candidate, had suffered undue criticisms from misguided quarters as the opposition had tried so hard to taint his image.
“They have made efforts to portray us in bad light. They have insulted, abused and maligned us. But we have refused to be defined by their propaganda and deceit,” the statement said.
It added that the PDP and many more innocent Nigerians had become victims of bad politics by desperate individuals: “who promote divisions and violence in their selfish quest for power”.
It, however, added that the party’s satisfaction was that majority of Nigerians appreciated its sincerity, achievements and commitment in sustaining democracy and the unity of the country in the face of daunting challenges.
“Nigerians appreciate that it is not by chance but through hard work and careful planning that our economy grew to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world and the largest in Africa.
“It is also to the credit of the PDP-led administration that freedom and personal liberty, essential components of democracy, have been enhanced.
“Today, Nigerians relish all forms of freedom, social justice and fairness in line with the ideology and manifesto of the PDP,” the statement said.
It added that President Jonathan had proved to be a meticulous leader whose policies and actions were a product of deep reflection and consultations.
According to it, President Jonathan has been able to withstand all kinds of pressures, even in the most challenging circumstances.
“At the state level, the sterling performance of our candidates, governors in transforming their states and delivering democracy dividends to their citizens speaks volume of our party’s covenant with the people and commitment to good governance.
“Indeed the PDP remains the most popular political party in Nigeria, commanding the respect and support of the majority of the voting population in all the nooks and crannies of our country,” the statement said.
It added that though the PDP was in control of 12 out of the 19 northern states, it commanded grassroots support and would win majority of votes in states under it and the region generally.
“Also with our very strong support base, we are certain of impressive performance in Borno, Yobe and Zamfara states, where the policies and programmes of the PDP-led Federal Government have directly touched the lives of the ordinary Nigerians,” statement said.
It added that the PDP would not only win overwhelmingly in states under its control in the south, but also in Imo and Rivers that were under the APC.
This, it said, was in addition to Lagos State and other southwest states where its popular candidates and positive impact of its policies and programmes on the people would speak for it.
It, however, stated that the PDP remained committed to peaceful and credible elections and urged Nigerians to continue to be alert and resist the antics of the opposition.
The statement added that in spite of PDP`s alleged imperfections, “the alternative does not represent a viable option for the growth and sustenance of democracy as they lack substance in policies and programmes”.