PDP denies plot to postpone elections

Rates Jonathan above Buhari on projects

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) has denied alleged plot to postpone the
February elections, describing the allegation as
diversionary.
A statement issued on Monday by the party’s
National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh,
emphasised the preparedness of the ruling party
for the elections.
The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC)
had accused the PDP of working in tandem with
the Department of State Security (DSS) to set the
stage for postponement of the poll.
The DSS had, last week, come up with “shocking
findings” from its investigation of data and
documents carted away by the Service when its
operatives raided the APC’s data centre in Lagos
late 2014.
The Spokesperson of the DSS, Ms. Marilyn Ogar,
had, at a press briefing in Abuja last week, stated
that “findings” showed that the APC was
attempting to hack into the Independent National
Electoral Commission’s (INEC) data base.
Ogar had also accused the opposition of attempts
to clone INEC’s voter cards, adding that the APC
registered infants, babies and serving security
personnel as party members.
The PDP is backing the DSS, accusing the APC of
attempts to divert attention from the findings by
the DSS.
The ruling party stated that nothing could be more
evident that the APC was not preparing to face the
electorate than the frivolous and unfounded
allegations and use of propaganda in an effort to
hoodwink Nigerians even in the face of clear proof
of culpability.
The statement continued: “The PDP is fully ready
for the coming elections. Our leaders and
members are working hard in all the nooks and
crannies of the country leveraging on our existing
grass roots appeal, wide-spread political
structures, a track-record of performance and
abiding affinity and loyalty to the people.
“We have very popular and acceptable hard
working candidates which the people are anxious
to vote for. Our Presidential flagbearer, President
Goodluck Jonathan with verifiable achievements
and commitment to national unity remains the
candidate the beat.
“We have engaged on issue-based campaigns. We
have effectively shown Nigerians that we can be
trusted. Our amiable leader, President Jonathan
has demonstrated strength of character, sincerity of
purpose in his handling of state affairs and
Nigerians are desirous to demonstrate their
support for him come February 14.”
Meanwhile, the party has rated President Jonathan
above his major opponent in the election, Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari.
The party said Buhari could not boast of any
developmental project in any sector of the
economy during his 22-month regime as head of
state from 1983 to 1985.
Metuh said in a statement that when juxtaposed
with the performance of Jonathan’s democratically
elected government, it becomes clear that Buhari is
not and cannot be a match for President Jonathan.
PDP said Buhari failed because he lacked the
capacity and the capability to comprehend complex
issues at the highest level of governance.
It said the APC presidential candidate lacked team
spirit, which the party described as a principal
component of public private partnership critical for
national development, “a character his colleagues
in the military rejected and kicked him out of
office.”
“In a sector by sector juxtaposition of the Buhari
and Jonathan administrations, the PDP observed
that while Buhari suspended the constitution and
led Nigerians by the nose, President Jonathan
exhibited excellent democratic credentials by
enhancing the rule of law wherein Nigerians,
including Buhari now relish all kinds of personal
freedoms which he denied the citizens during his
rule,” the statement added.
The party recalled that while Buhari enacted the
Military Decree 4 of 1984 with which he abolished
the freedom of the press, Jonathan not only signed
into law the Freedom of Information Act, but also
consolidated the rule of law in the country.