APC Convention Catalogues Multiple National Woes

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Wednesday, October 29th, 2014

From Ganiyu Nasirudeen

The Nigerian leading opposition All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Extraordinary National Convention has held with many and heavy accusations against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but with promises by it to return Nigeria to the path of growth and development, if elected into power.

In his welcome address at the convention which held in FCT Abuja, the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie – Oyegun indicated his party cared about the citizens, the youths and the aged, stressing its members were programmed to “return Nigeria to the path of growth and development, create jobs, modernize infrastructure and make life more abundant for our people”.

He contended that those who likened the APC with PDP missed the points given the profiles of achievements of the opposition Governors in their states, citing the curtailment of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) recent outbreak in Lagos and Rivers states.

Chief Odigie – Oyegun informed that the convention was initially meant to present and adopt APC 2015 Election Manifesto, but the party reversed the decision after a careful deliberation, hence, agreed to choose its mega rally slated for South East for the exercises – presentation and adoption.

The opposition National Chairman observed that the country was in her trying times, therefore, every Nigerian owed it a duty to the country and the coming generations to put the country back on the path of development and greatness.

“Today, our people are more divided along ethnic and religious lines than at any other time in her history. Just because they want to win elections at all cost, they have pitched Christians against Muslims, Southerners against Northerners, and one ethnic group against the other.

“In particular, the use of religion to divide our people portends great danger. No nation has ever developed using religion as a divisive or campaign tool. And ours will not be different. The problems we face, be it insecurity, corruption, poverty, lack of infrastructure or economic growth without development, will not be solved by a religionist but by patriotic and competent leadership” APC leader retorted.

He offered rather, what the people wanted to know was who would provide them with security, improved welfare, uninterrupted power supply, jobs, modern health care, world class education and modern infrastructure.

Chief Odigie – Oyegun contended that the country was worse off today, in the areas of security and welfare of the citizenry, the main reasons for the existence of any government, compare to 1999 when the ruling party first assumed centre power, lamenting that more Nigerians have died needlessly between 1999 and now, in the country’s history, aside the casualties recorded during the 1967 – 1970 unfortunate civil war.

The APC leader who alleged that organized stealing of crude oil and corruption have been institutionalized, accused Federal Government (FG) of “unprecedented impunity”, which has in “turn fuelled unparalleled lawlessness”.

“Litigants and lawyers are fair game in their misplaced strategy to pervert the course of justice. To them, the doctrine of the separation of powers is a mere fancy. They don’t give a damn. In their perverted reasoning, might is right! Their violation of this doctrine flies in the face of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This undemocratic encroachment and erosion portend great danger for our nation and constitute a threat to our democracy. But they don’t really give a damn”, Odigie – Oyegun noted

He also lamented high level of youth unemployment , despite the FG position on creation of 1.7 million jobs in 2013 alone, and 500,000 jobs in the first half of this year.

Other high points of the convention was the formal presentation of the new entrant into the party and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal.

Tambuwal in his address stressed that Nigerians yearned for true change, saying that the APC and its starlwarts were consistent with and capable to deliver the deserving changes the country is lacking.

The Convention also formally presented its Presidential hopefuls, including: General Muhammadu Buhari; Rabiu Musa Kuwakwanso and Rochas Okorochas.

Meanwhile, another APC Presidential aspirant and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has hinted he was “scheduled to return to Nigeria yesterday from a quick business trip abroad, but could not, due to last minute logistics changes”.

Atiku in a post Wednesday evening on his Facebook account explained this informed why he could not attend the Special Convention.

He however sent apologies to leaders and supporters of the party, who had looked forward to him at the National meeting.