PDP Denies 20million-man March Organizers

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has denied sponsoring the organizers of the proposed planned 20 million-man march to drum up support for candidates of the party in the 2015 elections.

The party in a statement said it is not involved in any programme aimed at assembling that number of people in Abuja or any other part of Nigeria.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, added that “for the avoidance of doubt, no organ of the party at whatever level has the mandate of the national secretariat to engage in any such activity.

“We therefore have no connection whatsoever with the group planning it. Persons or groups wishing to involve the PDP in any activity are advised to seek the approval of the appropriate organs of the party at various levels."

Meanwhile, the PDP has challenged Nigerians to embrace the challenge of national revival made by President Goodluck Jonathan in his 53
rd Independence Day anniversary broadcast.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who made the charge in Abuja, said the assertion by the President that “ordinary folks and not politicians make a nation” should sober every Nigerian and prick the heart of desperate politicians who have committed enormous energy to heat up the polity and divide the people.

He added that the admission by President Jonathan that it is not easy for Nigerians to keep believing in the possibilities of Nigeria’s greatness when the faith of the people is constantly challenged brings to the fore the humanity and humility of a committed leader as well as the imperative on the part of both the leaders and the led to renew their commitment to nation building as the only assured course to victory.

Chief Metuh said the President is committed to transforming Nigeria, based on the theme of his Independence Day broadcast which elucidated the road map to a secured future for the nation.

According to the PDP, President Jonathan’s broadcast was not only unique but an eloquent expression of his determination to bequeath a transformed Nigeria to future generations.

Chief Metuh said rather than using the Independence Day broadcast to boast about the achievements recorded by his administration, President Jonathan humbly relegated his administration’s accomplishments to the background and assumed “the place of an ordinary Nigerian, in his pains, fears and uncertainty about the future."

The PDP said by taking a definite stand on the issue of a national dialogue and setting up a committee led by Dr. Femi Okurounmu to fashion out the structure and modalities for the conference, the President has again demonstrated that his mandate derives entirely from the wishes of Nigerians.

 "We are pleased that the President listens and leaves Nigerians in no doubt that their opinions matter. We recall that he bowed to the wishes of Nigerians on the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and we also recall that the wishes of Nigerians have been his compass in crucial measures so far taken to contain terrorism in parts of the country."

Commending the President for disappointing the opposition who thought he was going to use the occasion to score political points, the PDP said his “rare humility in acknowledging teething national challenges, his manifest resolve to fight head-on until Nigerians are freed from the oppression of terrorism; his good wishes and prayers for the families of victims of  terrorism and his strident call on those elected to govern at all levels to focus on improving the lives of our people and not selfish ambition show him as a leader alive to the welfare of his people."

 

Dailytimes

Share on Google Plus