Osun: Face campaigns now or regret later, PDP tells APC

By Lawrence Olaoye

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday charged the ruling party in Osun state to commence campaigns now or regret its defeat at the August 9th poll.

The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, noted that the APC is currently engaged in political blackmail and propaganda instead of reaching out to the electorates to sell its manifestos.

The PDP said while its candidate and members have been campaigning and winning the support of the people, the APC has engaged in “political gallivanting, rigmarole and ineffective propaganda in the media without focusing on the fact that only the votes of the people will count on election day.

“We urge Nigerians to note that whilst the APC leaders are focused on campaign of calumny, character assassination and creating confusion, the PDP is sensitizing, appealing and campaigning to the people while strengthening and expanding its support base in the state.

“We want them to note that whereas our candidate and supporters have been engaged in vigorous all-inclusive campaign in all the nooks and crannies of the state, the APC, detached from the people and ignoring the reality that the South West voters are tired of fake progressives, has stuck to out-worn triumphant cliches and tactics like it did in Ekiti. When they eventually lose, blackmail and violence may come handy in an attempt to discredit the process.

“In any case what does one expect from a party that has no message and agenda for the people; a party based on religious and ethnic interests and which has absolutely nothing to offer in the furtherance of the national interest”, the PDP said.

The PDP commended its candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore as well as party stalwarts in the state for engaging in vigorous all-inclusive campaign in all the nooks and crannies of the state, which it said has resulted in the massive support currently being enjoyed by the party among the people.

According to Metuh, the PDP was not resting on its oars but was working harder than ever to ensure victory in the polls, noting that the factors which gave it victory in Ekiti, including a popular candidate with grassroot appeal, strong and well accepted message as well as the humble and effective leadership of its leader, President Goodluck Jonathan, were still at play.

While noting that it was sure of victory in the election, the PDP said it will continue to work hard to push further into the consciousness of Osun voters the marked difference between it as a truly national political party with the interest of all Nigerians at heart and the APC whose ‘progressive toga’ only serves the interest of a few.

The party therefore advised the APC to campaign and market itself, “though a bad merchandise” to the people or be ready to keep quiet after its eventual defeat come August 9.