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 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, strengthen 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.
