.Canvasses support for PDP
The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Iyorchia Ayu has lamented the intractable banditry, killings and kidnappings ravaging the country, saying it’s unfortunate that the country seems to be in a war situation under the administration of a retired general.
The former Senate President said the opposition party had provided security for the citizens when it was in power and called on the electorate to rally round the party in 2023 so as to save the country from further security threats.
Sen. Ayu stated this at the weekend at the party’s headquarters in Abuja during the Annual General Meeting of the PDP Press Corps.
The second Republic Senate President said that the level of insecurity in the country under the watch of a retired general is threatening the foundation and unity of the country.
“We are virtually in a war situation in Nigeria today. We are fighting bandits. We are fighting kidnappers; we are fighting all sorts of bandits and extremists who are killing raping our mothers and daughters. None of you can sleep with your eye open or closed because you are always wondering whether you are going to make it to the next day. You have to keep on highlighting these problems because government has the fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and properties.
“We have a retired General as President and we taught these things will improve. We don’t need to talk as a political party or as an opposition, but you know exactly what is happening in our country is threatening even the very unity and existence of our country. I think you need accurate reporting of the events, which are not very glorious” he said.
Accompanied by members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), Ayu said that he practised journalism at a younger age and challenged journalists not to be deterred by the risks around journalism profession. He reminded them that the founding fathers in the profession risks their lives while fighting the military junta to ensure that democracy was returned to the country.
The chairman said that the opposition party even during it’s days in office was opposed to dictatorship. He said that the party will continue to partner with the media to educate the electorate and the international community on the ills of the present administration.
“What we’ve fought against all along in this country is we don’t want any institutionalized dictatorship. We want a country where people should be free to express their views, go about their business. And I believe the Nigeria media from history right from the time of independence has played a very very glorious roll. They fought for independence. They sustained that fight, even during the military takeover, some have lost their lives.
“If you remember the Dele Giwas. They lost their lives to what they believed in for the love of the profession. I call on you to be courageous to follow in the footsteps or your forefathers in the profession. You will definitely make sacrifices.
“We have to educate not only Nigerians but also the international community, with your accurate reporting, of what we are trying to do as a party, because it is only an informed electorate that makes right choices. We believe we are here to offer Nigerians an alternative to what is going on today. But I think in the first 16 years, we’re here we did let’s say 100 or 90 percent, but are much more determined to do better than what we did before”.
The chairman called for more interaction with the media, saying that the party under his watch is determined to improve on the security situation in the country.
He also called on the electorate to rally round the PDP and vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during the next general election.
