The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign has expressed dismay
and disappointment at the inability of the incumbent President and
presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to use
the opportunity offered by his campaign outings to tell Nigerians what he
has done for them in the last six years.
A statement by the APC Campaign in Abuja on Friday recalled that President
Jonathan had earlier urged that parties and candidates dwell on issues
agitating the minds of Nigerians and how these can be solved, but said it
was surprised that in his campaign outings so far including those of Enugu
and Lagos, the President has been unable to do this.
The statement signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, Director, Media and Publicity
of the APC Presidential Campaign noted that at the PDP Lagos campaign
flag-off and at Enugu, rather than the President of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria telling the people of Nigeria watching on television and those
at the campaign venue what he has achieved and what he intends to do
differently, the second-term seeking President Jonathan spent valuable
time reading copiously excerpts from the maiden speech of General Ibrahim
Babangida who overthrew Buhari in 1985.
“Nigerians do not expect a political commentary from President Jonathan of
a nearly 30 year old speech delivered to the nation by IBB. What Nigerians
expect to hear among others is what he has achieved in the last six years
and why corruption still remains endemic and the economy in shambles. Is
this what is needed to free the Chibok girls, strenghten the Naira, pay
salaries of civil servants, stop the industrial stealing of crude oil or
ensure the safety and security of Nigerians?” the APC Campaign queried.
The APC Campaign bemoaned that after six years of Jonathan administration
the nation is still gripped by pervasive insecurity, aggravated
unemployment notably among the youths,” Shehu said.
“If the youths are so dear to him as the President has claimed whatever
happened to the tens of thousands who lined up for the Nigeria Immigration
Services recruitment with several of them losing their lives over which no
one has taken responsibility and the Minister is still at his job. Even
the automatic employment promised to the injured and relations of the
deceased still remain a mirage.
“President Jonathan should be reminded that the February 14 presidential
election is a referendum on his lacklustre leadership,” he said.
According to the APC Campaign, General Buhari’s will re-enact zero
tolerance for corruption, leadership integrity and national discipline,
values that are alien to the Jonathan’s administration.
“Claims that General Buhari will jail the corrupt is utter falsehood. As
President, Buhari will allow due process to prevail. The decision of
conviction and imprisonment will remain in exclusive preserve of the
court. A president Buhari will not meddle in court decisions, he will
abide by the constitution in all cases. He will not cut deals to see
corrupt people walk out of prosecution.
“In today’s visionless and rudderless and corruption-ridden Nigeria under
Jonathan’s watch, the aforementioned issues and the transparent and honest
way Muhammadu Buhari dealt with them in the past is what the Nigerian
people yearn for and for which they want Buhari back in the saddle.
The APC Campaign reminded President Jonathan that no amount of anger and
fear of losing office as exhibited by him in his campaign outings so far
can reverse the tide of the impending change, whose time has come.