Perform Like Us Or Be Thrown Out In 2019, PDP Warns APC

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday warned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that it risks being thrown out of office in the next election in 2019 if it fails to leverage on the achievements recorded by the former administration and deliver on its promises to the Nigerian people.

 

The opposition party said the APC must be reminded that one needs to have a nation first before you can seek to rubbish it and that in conceding victory, PDP had made sacrifices so that democracy can survive.

 

In its communique at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the party said  NEC had adopted the recommendations of the Post-election Review Committee but with amendments. For instance, while it adopted, all other recommendations, it failed to approve the use of direct primaries in choosing candidates for elective offices.

 

It said NEC had approved the recommendation of the post-election Review Committee that the party should seek its 2019 presidential candidate from the North to enhance its electoral chances.

 

Other recommendations of the committee adopted include the use of  biometric registration of members nationwide.

 

The communique said the NEC had resolved  to support and fight for PDP candidates in the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States.

 

It also commended the leaders, elected and appointed officials of the party and members nationwide for their commitment to the party, especially the progress of the National Working Committee (NWC) with regard to the rebuilding efforts.

 

Special commendation went to the party’s publicity unit for  its constructive and robust engagement of the ruling party and urged it to continue in that regard.

 

The NEC promised that the PDP would continue to ensure credible, issue-based opposition as well as strict adherence to democratic tenets and the supremacy of the constitution of the country, adding that it would continue the move towards the repositioning of the party to regain its preeminence in the polity and return to power at the centre in 2019.

 

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, who read out the communique said although the issue of selection of a new chairman from the North-east was not discussed at the meeting, NWC was directed to work with the leaders from North-east to chat the way forward.

 

Speaking at the meeting of the NEC of the PDP, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said the APC has no choice than to leverage on the achievements of PDP and do more to consolidate on the gains already recorded otherwise the PDP will be on its way back in 2019 and deservedly too.

 

Yesterday’s NEC meeting was first since the conclusion of the 2015 general election in April.

 

Credits: Thisday