Elections keep improving under Buhari’s watch – APC tells PDP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari, elections in Nigeria have been moving from better to best, even as it told the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to focus its attention on the redemption of its status as opposition party in Nigeria rather than blaming the APC for its failure.
A statement issued yesterday by the National Secretary of the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), John James Akpanudoedehe, said at party level, APC will entrench internal democracy in all decision making processes, particularly party nomination – direct and indirect primaries or consensus.
The statement reads “Our attention has been drawn to yet another communiqué by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum which is laced with lies, idle conspiracy theories on the state of the nation and the PDP’s pitiable attempt to explain its failed state as the supposed main opposition party in the country.
“It is indeed remarkable that the PDP has finally opened up to its fast depleting fortunes. However, it is advisable that the PDP concentrates on redemption instead of blaming the APC or anyone else for its rudderless state.
“We reiterate that it is foolhardy for the PDP to expect its members to sink with the party in the face of its failed state.
“The PDP should quickly address itself to the fact that its members and leaders who are joining the APC in droves are attracted and inspired by the progressive leadership of the President Muhammadu Buhari government and the internal democracy being entrenched by the leadership of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
“Under President Buhari, every election conducted in the country has been an improvement on the last. The APC will continue to support constitutionally backed innovations by our election management bodies to make our elections more credible.
“At party level, the APC’s is resolved to entrench internal democracy in all decision making processes, particularly party nomination – direct and indirect primaries or consensus.”
Meanwhile, the party has said the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) remains the only legal instrument voters can use to elect progressive leaders who can sustain the ongoing efforts of APC governments at the Federal, State and Local Government Areas to sustain its successes in renewing national infrastructure, transforming agriculture and diversifying the economy.
To this end, it urged Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration exercise to register.