Jonathan Challenges APC Candidate To Presidential Debate

Ahead of the 2015 presidential
election, the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) has on behalf of President
Goodluck Jonathan expressed
readiness for a debate with the
opposition on his performance and
effort at preserving the peace and
unity of the country.
Addressing a press conference in
Abuja, on the preparation of the party
for its national convention, National
publicity secretary of the PDP, Chief
Olisa Metuh, made this declaration.
He boasted about his party’s chances
at the polls, warning the All
Progressives Congress (APC) that
President Jonathan would inflict a
crushing defeat on anyone the
opposition party fields in the
presidential election.
“The PDP is rest assured that we have
a very good product to sell to
Nigerians.
We are confident that President
Jonathan, as our candidate, is primed
to win the 2015 presidential election
based on his popularity as a result of
his forthrightness, humility and
steadfastness to the Nigerian project,
coupled with his record of verifiable
achievements.
“We are today serving notice to the
opposition APC to expect a crushing
defeat at the polls. In view of our
confidence, preparedness and the
popularity of our candidate, we
declare that the APC can put forth its
two frontline aspirants in one bunch,
namely General Muhammadu Buhari
and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as joint
presidential candidates with their
collective credentials and
followership to face our candidate,
President Jonathan.
“For us in the PDP, it is neither a
matter of conjecture nor propaganda;
we are certain that with the
grassroots support and the love he
enjoys from Nigerians across board,
President Jonathan will secure an
emphatic victory at the poll,” he said.
Speaking about Jonathan’s approach
in dealing with Boko Haram
insurgency, Metuh noted that the
president take actions only after they
have been carefully thought out.
Noting that when he came under
pressure from some quarters to
declare total emergency by
dismantling democratic structures in
the North-East, he thought differently.
“Instead of reacting in ways that could
damage the trust and love of
Nigerians for one another, the
president has acted more on the side
of caution by ensuring that actions to
defeat terrorism are carefully
thought-out and pursued,” he said.
Metuh disclosed that the party expects
3,073 delegates to cast their votes to
elect President Jonathan, in
confirmation of his candidacy as the
party’s flag bearer in the 2015
elections.
The delegates will also elect national
chairman of the party, Dr Adamu
Mu’azu; national secretary, Professor
Wale Oladipo and the national
auditor, Adewale Adeyanj, all of
whom came on board the National
Working Committee (NWC) in acting
capacity.
While others have withdrawn to let
Jonathan run unopposed, Mrs Akasoba
Duke-Abiola had insisted on
contesting the presidential primaries
with the president.
Metuh said nobody would stop her
from the convention, as long as she
was satisfied with the party
guidelines.