We control 12 states in the north, headed for victory – PDP

By Olusegun Lawrence                       The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it’s headed for victory in the February general elections, vowing to defeat the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the south west.
Briefing newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said Nigerians from all walks of life identify with President Jonathan as a leader with very strong bond with the people and their wellbeing, irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations.
Metuh said the south east is more a less a walk over for the party, adding that the PDP controls 12 out of the 19 states in the North.
“Our campaigns have been greeted by the turnout of millions of Nigerians who are eager to return our dear President to power come February 14.
“I can assure you that with the support of Nigerians, we will not only win convincingly in the entire five states of the South East but also deal the APC a crushing defeat in South West states including Lagos state where the popularity and acceptability of our Presidential and governorship candidates have earned us tremendous support at the grass roots.
“As our campaign train moves to the north tomorrow, we leverage on the goodwill we enjoy from our citizens in that region. The north remains a stronghold of the PDP where in the last 16 years, we have enjoyed massive support and have continued to win majority votes as a result of our unprecedented performance in all sectors.
“Our strength lies in the fact that out of the 19 states of the north, the PDP controls 12 with solid structures, oiled over the years in all the wards and local government areas. The capacity of our winning machine is buoyed by the various tangible development projects that have hugely affected the lives of ordinary Nigerians in the north, a factor that has put us in vantage position to win back our original states of Sokoto, Kano, Nasarawa and Kwara as well as win in Borno, Yobe and Zamfara states,” he said.
The PDP spokesperson said the Jonathan/Sambo Campaign train will hit the north well prepared to dish out the numerous achievements of the Jonathan administration in the areas of agriculture, education, environment and transportation to mention but a few.
He thanked Nigerians for welcoming the president and his team in the south west and south east, saying the PDP campaign so far, has been issues-based.
“The PDP deeply appreciates Nigerians for their support, goodwill and prayers for our dear President and standard-bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan. In the same vein, we wish to thank our supporters in states so far visited for their solidarity and resounding resolution to vote for him and all PDP candidates in the general elections
“Against the backdrop of the achievements, a few of which we have just highlighted, we are going to the north, well-equipped with our record of performance.
“Our outing in the South West and South East shows clearly that the people of Nigeria are still with PDP and their admiration for our flag-bearer remains unprecedented. We are hoping for even more of that in the north,” Metuh said.