President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday described the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) as noise makers that cannot withstand the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election.
The president also said despite the opposition party’s attempt to tell lies and sponsor stories, the PDP administration led by himself will remain committed to transforming Nigeria, boasting that the gap between the PDP and other parties are astronomical hence he is yet to see anyone that will beat the ruling party come 2015.
Jonathan, who played host to the presidential declaration committee led by former acting national chairman of the PDP, Haliru Bello, at a luncheon at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to express his gratitude for a job well done that saw to a successful declaration ceremony on November 11, said the ruling party way of doing things was ways different from that of the opposition, hence is in a position to offer a better deal to Nigerians.
Jonathan, who described himself as a privileged aspirant of the party ahead of the 2015 elections due to the unanimous endorsement, commended the support given to him and Vice President Namadi Sambo, pleading with those aspiring for electoral offices that the world does not begin and end with the office they are looking for, urging them to display utmost form of decorum.
He said, “I thank you all for all your support, even before the declaration, for me and the vice president and your support for the government, because in Nigeria’s political history this is one period that we really have a lot of opposition coming up every day. But for your support probably we couldn’t have achieved the little we have achieved. But no matter the lies people tell, sponsored stories and so on, we have been very committed and you keep supporting us, we remain grateful.
“I’m yet to see those who can beat PDP. They will continue to make the noise but they cannot beat us, because the gap between PDP and others is astronomical. The way we do things and the way they do things is very different, the way we talk and the way they talk is very different, the way we reason and the way they reason is very different. Our commitment to transform this country and their thinking about Nigeria is very different. And I promise you my party men and women and indeed all Nigerians that with your support collectively we must move this country to where we want it to be. Every day, every week and every month we must add something, we must change and continue to change.
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“For my other colleagues, the PDP aspirants for various levels of election, though I’m also an aspirant, the party has given me some kind of privilege. I am now a privileged aspirant, because it is after the convention that I can say clearly that I am the candidate, but I am a privileged aspirant. Some of you are also privileged aspirants from what I have heard, some of you have been endorsed by your constituencies. So, aspirants for the various levels of election from the state assemblies, House of Representatives, the Senate and the governorship I wish you success.
“And let me use this unique opportunity to plead with all of us who are aspiring for electoral offices that the world does not begin and end with the office you are looking for. Sometimes, you would be looking for an office you may not be able to get it for one reason or the other. Let us say somebody blocked you, so be it, let somebody block you. But if God wants something better for you, even after that blocking you will get something else. I plead with all of us that we should not play the do or die, ‘except I get it, let the party sink’.
“We are taking inventory of all what is happening in all the states and I promise that we will try and use as many people as possible. There are challenges in some states. People may deliberately block you. You may even be the best candidate in that particular constituency but let us move ahead. In my own life, the things I look for I hardly get. It’s what I don’t even think about that sometimes that I get, and I believe most of you will smile. But collectively, first and foremost, let us unite the party, work together for our collective victory and I believe after that we will move forward”.
The party chairman, Adamu Muazu, in his remarks, said this was the time for party members to be loyal, not only to be loyal but to be dedicated and committed to the party.
Haliru Bello in his remarks thanked the president for the opportunity to serve in the declaration committee.
He noted that what they saw in the mammoth supporters at the declaration was just a tip of the iceberg of what will happen in 2015.
ELIZABETH ARCHIBONG
