• Wants Buhari’s govt removed democratically
• Direct primaries will end shortcut to power, says Abe
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged other political parties to forge stronger coalition against what it described as misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It also urged them to educate Nigerians on the need to stop APC from spending another eight years in government by unseating it democratically.
The party’s chairman-elect, Iyorchia Ayu, said this when he received the leadership of the Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) at his Abuja residence, yesterday.
He noted that the role of political parties should not be restricted to campaigning and winning elections alone; they should also be concerned about the welfare of the people they seek to govern.
“What the APC, as a government, has done wrong to Nigeria and Nigerians is destroying the quality of life in this country. They are dividing our people by nepotism. They are borrowing money and heavily decreasing the lives of Nigerians. Generations to come will be paying off those debts. They are not investing that money into any productive venture,” he said.
He added: “I charge all of you to strengthen Nigeria so that more voices will be speaking about that. It shouldn’t just be PDP. We are a multi-party democracy. So, all of you have a responsibility to articulate those issues that are affecting our people, and together.”
CUPP spokesman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, who led the delegation, said the Conference was optimistic that Ayu’s emergence as PDP chairman would reposition the opposition.
This came as an APC chieftain in Rivers State, Magnus Abe, said signing of the Electoral Act by President Muhammadu Buhari will end all shortcuts to power and return control to the people.
Abe, who once represented Rivers South East at the Senate, therefore, called for a speedy passage of the legislation by members of the National Assembly.
He stated this during a courtesy visit on Ogoni monarch, Mene Kadilo Kabari, at Barako, GokanaCouncil of Rivers State.
He said: “Elections are not expensive. It is the behaviour of people that destroyed the electoral process in our country, and has made elections become expensive.
“This Electoral Act, if signed by Mr. President, will give Nigeria a new beginning and new opportunities to reap dividends of democracy because there would be no shortcut to power anymore.”
He added: “When politicians know that their fate in an election will be dependent on the people’s vote, they will behave differently. Direct primary supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission is the way to go.”
Source: Guardian.ng
