National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Adamu Mu’azu, has reacted to the purported public endorsement of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, describing it as one of the “ biggest surprises”. The PDP Chairman, who lampooned Obasanjo for endorsing Buhari, wondered how a former president who wanted to extend his tenure beyond the constitutional eight years would now claim to be a fanatic of change. He also berated Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, whom he said was in and out of jail during the military era, which was still “singing the change anthem” of those who imprisoned him. Mu’azu, in a statement released on Thursday, however expressed optimism that his party would win the 2015 presidential election, insisting that the APC mantra of change had lost steam. He called on the party’s members and supporters “to gird their loins, tighten all loose ends as they face a titanic battle to ensure that they win a historic fourth presidential election victory, control the national assembly and produce more governors on April 11, 2015,” he said. Mu’azu explained what informs his optimism about PDP emerging victorious at the polls thus: “our opponents have been disoriented, their consistent fabrication of lies to win the votes of Nigerians has been exposed and their change mantra has lost steam. There is no sector in Nigeria that has not witnessed tremendous transformation and change under the PDP government. “The seed sown by the Jonathan administration in the area of education has hit the most desired part of the country with the establishment of the Almajiri schools, which has already revolutionized education in the north of Nigeria. The establishment of nine new universities in the area means that those youngsters will continue with university education when they graduate to that level,” he said. Other parts of the statement read, “The opposition All Progressive Congress has tried to belittle this massive transformation with their high decibel of noise that it was nothing to write home about, but the truth is that those young lives have never had it so good. Their totally transformed lives are bound to become the cornerstone of the new Nigeria we are building in the next four years and beyond. “The APC’s sickening shouts of change have lost steam and they have nothing else to shout about and this is the best time to put them where they belong, in the dumps of defeat at the opposition benches across the country. The biggest surprise is the endorsement of the opposition by our own former leader and former president, whom we supported for eight years and wanted more years to continue the leadership of Nigeria and we refused to kill our constitution to do so. Now he is a fanatic of change. “Our famous Nobel Laureate who has been in and out of jail houses because of his opposition to military dictatorship is also singing the change anthem. His best friend and townsman, the greatest musician that this country has ever produced must be shaking in his grave to learn what his friend has done. Let me assure all PDP faithful that victory is in sight and we must pursue it with vigour until the last vote is counted; the freest and fairest election result is announced and we are victorious. “The greatest gift our party is offering to Nigeria is freedom. Under President Jonathan, you are free to say what you want to say, do what you want to do provided it is lawful. Under the Opposition APC, you will be watched, trailed and sorted out if you oppose them as you are freely opposing the present incumbent. The Internet is awash with evidence of abuse of President Jonathan and PDP leaders. If you think it can continue if the opposition is in charge, wait and see. “The lies being laundered by the APC about the PDP administration has in fact yielded one dividend that has done the PDP one good turn. It has brought the best in us. It has ‘shined’ our eyes and we are now ready for whatever they bring to the table. Defeat is theirs and victory is ours. No shaking, my people.”
