Nigeria Started Sinking after APC Took over Govt, Secondus Insists

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus, on Wednesday attacked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of running down the country since it took over power in 2015.

Secondus, who was in company of several state governors, leaders of the party, and federal and state lawmakers during the PDP grand rally at Oxbow Lake Pavilion in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, urged the people of the state not to give the APC a chance in the state, insisting that the party will only destroy the state.

 

Governors who were present included Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta State); Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), while the Ebonyi and Benue State governors were represented by their deputies.

Other key party stalwarts who attended the event were PDP presidential running mate in the 2019 general election, Peter Obi; Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Adolphus Wabara among other leaders.

The PDP national chairman warned the security forces against interference in the November 16 poll, maintaining that it had become obvious that the APC had no structure to win election in Bayelsa State.

According to him, "Those watching at home, those on twitter, Facebook, Instagram, including the members of the armed forces, other security officers, you can see beyond all doubts that Bayelsa is a PDP state, and the people are ready to vote for PDP, therefore the world is watching, our country is watching, the international bodies are watching what will happen in Bayelsa State on November 16.

"In the last four years and a half in Bayelsa State, did you see any federal government presence in the state? Did you see any project from the federal government in the state? So why must we deceive ourselves? They are not going to do anything, they hate you they only love your oil.

"They have not shown good faith, they took government from your son, President Goodluck Jonathan, who performed very well. As soon as they (APC) took over in 2015, the entire system collapsed, the economy collapsed, security, hunger came in and even banking is affected.

 

"The country has been damaged by APC government, so don't be deceived. If we talk about who is going to represent Bayelsa State, can you see the clear difference between our candidate and their own candidate?"

He argued that the PDP candidate, Douye Diri, remains the most qualified man with integrity, honesty and experience.

Secondus urged the people of the state not to vote for David Lyon, the APC candidate, whom he said has no capacity to represent the state.

"Bayelsa will not vote for a person who cannot represent himself. It is not enough to say I want to be a governor of Bayelsa State, because when you are  governor, you are a leader of our country.

 "When you are a governor, you must speak to the international community, you must speak to the nation. It is not a village affair,” he said

In his comment, Tambuwal who spoke on behalf of the governors, said the crowd was a very clear and eloquent testimony of the fact that Bayelsa State belongs to PDP.

According to him, "We are aware of their plans to rig the elections because they are not on ground. Come out enmass and vote and protect your vote so that Diri will eventually become the governor.

 "We need him to continue the good work Seriake Dickson started and consolidate as well as ensure continuous prosperity for the good people of Bayelsa."

He urged the party loyalists not to "allow those who have traits of promoting violence to come back."

While speaking, Dickson alleged that he was in possession of information that soldiers were being mobilised to harass voters, but urged the people not to be intimidated.

The state governor said: "We have the information that soldiers are coming to shoot,  kill and  maim our people in an election that APC is not in a position to win at all.

"We hear the police are being mobilised to harass and maim our people. We also hear arrangements have gone very far to compromise and intimidate INEC officials. While we call for professionalism, the world should know that this is the heartland of PDP and our people and the communities are PDP.

"Tomorrow, the ward to ward mop-up campaigns will continue till the end of campaigns."

He insisted that though the federal government was playing politics with the certification of the newly-built airport to commence operation, it will be put to use soon.