Three months to the February 2015 general elections, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has admitted that the party’s manifesto was yet to be in place.
In an address APC tagged: “State of the Nation,” Odigie-Oyegun reviewed current happenings in the country and concluded that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP administration had no business asking Nigerians for another four years to be in the corridors of power.
Asked by journalists in Abuja when the APC would unveil its manifesto, Odigie-Oyegun was silent on a specific date, as he simply replied that the party would do that “in a colourful event” soon and would be addressing the nation almost on weekly basis to be discussing the manifesto.
He pleaded with Nigerians to vote out the PDP, which according to him, had ruined the lives of Nigerians and vote in the APC, which represents change.
Odigie-Oyegun said: “Our party, the APC, will change Nigeria for good. We have the men and women who can do this because they passionately believe in Nigeria and are aggrieved by the 16 years of wasted opportunities under the PDP. We have developed the ideas and strategies to achieve this.
“We have the faith and confidence that this can be done in short order. We have resolved never to give up on Nigeria, or to abandon the imperatives of ensuring that the democratic process translates into better lives and opportunities for the present generation and a solid foundation to build an even better life for future generations,” he said.
The APC chief promised that party’s candidates for various elective positions would emerge through a transparent primary election process. “Our party will conduct all processes for the selection of these candidates in strict and transparent compliance with our rules, and we will put forward candidates who will truly represent the people and work for a future full of hope, confidence, progress and peace. We have no doubt that Nigerians will vote for these candidates we will put up, because they will be agents of change, and they will be standing against agents of the status quo, who want to perpetuate this culture of deceit, divisiveness, incompetence and impunity that has continued to hold Nigeria back. We will ask Nigerians to vote for genuine and enduring change; change in the manner young Nigerians see their future; change in the attitude of leaders, from oppressive and arrogant leadership, to leadership anchored on respect for rule of law, fear of God and deep commitment to the service of the people; and change from a life of insecurity and daily threats to our life and property to a life of maximum security and peace.”
The APC chairman also accused the PDP of government of encouraging and abetting corruption, which he said if elected into office, an APC government will fight.
“Once in office, our party will govern with openness and transparency, and every kobo belonging to the public will be judiciously utilised and meticulously accounted for. We will call corruption by its name and fight it with the vehemence it deserves. We will restore the faith of the public in the necessity for leaders to live honestly and lead with vision, competence and compassion,” Mr. Oyegun said.
He asked Nigerians to collect their permanent voters’ card as according to him, will be used to vote for a brighter future and called on the international community not to give up on Nigeria.
“I therefore appeal to all Nigerians to endeavour to collect their Permanent Voters Cards, and use them to vote out the PDP and vote in the brighter, safer and more prosperous future, which the APC represents. I call on INEC, the security agencies and other institutions of government to discharge their responsibilities courageously, fairly and firmly. Their prime responsibility is to the nation. I appeal to the international community to remain vigilant and continue to work with all Nigerians to ensure that the 2015 elections are credible.”
Source: Nigerian Pilot
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