Reaction are tracking the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries.
The Peoples Democratic party (PDP) issued a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in which they welcome Buhari’s emergence as the APC candidate for the 2015 elections.
However this welcome cannot be called a warm one as the PDP recalled that after having already contested for the presidential position 3 times in the past, and “on each of the three previous occasions, he failed to articulate a vision of the future that was acceptable to Nigerians”.
In the message published on Premium Times, the party hints that they don’t see Buhari as a rival.
“On each occasion, his brand of politics was rejected across Nigeria. Apart from changing to a dinner suit, Mr. Buhari has not changed the tired ideas and provocative utterances that Nigerians rejected in previous elections.”
It would be recalled that Buhari polled the total of 3,430 votes, beating Kano State governor, who received 974 votes.
The PDP believes however that Nigerians would prefer their party, which has proved its ideas with positive changes and achievements. They added that Incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan is the one to guarantee stability and prosperity to the country citizens.
“We hope that this time round, Mr. Buhari will conduct a campaign that is issue-based and devoid of ethno-religious sentiments.
“We are convinced that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, remains the only truly national political party in Nigeria, a platform on which all Nigerians can pursue their legitimate aspirations.
“We also believe that despite the distractions, President Goodluck Jonathan has a genuine record of accomplishments on which to run and deserves a second term. President Jonathan’s re-election will guarantee unity and stability for Nigerians. His second term will also deliver prosperity to Nigerians.”
In the end of the statement the ruling party recalled the extract from Jonathan’s acceptance speech (after the PDP presidential primaries), in which the President stressed that “the choice before Nigerians in the coming election is simple: A choice between going forward or going backwards; between the new ways and the old ways; between freedom and repression; between a record of visible achievements and beneficial reforms – and desperate power-seekers with empty promises.”
