PDP NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY, CHIEF OLISA METUH
SAN FRANCISCO, October 01, (THEWILL) – The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed President Goodluck Jonathan over his decision to anchor the theme of his Independence Day broadcast on the roadmap to a secured future for the nation.
The party in a statement signed on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the anchor of the broadcast was not only unique but an eloquent expression of Jonathan’s determination to bequeath a transformed Nigeria.
“Nigerians listened to their President as he humbly relegated accomplishments and beating of the chest. We saw the President assuming the place of an ordinary Nigerian, in his pains, fears and uncertainty about the future. This is very commendable,” the statement said.
It added that by taking a definite stand on the issue of a national dialogue and setting up a committee led by Dr. Femi Okurounmu to fashion out the structure and modalities for the conference, the President has again demonstrated that his mandate derives entirely from the wishes of
Nigerians.
“We are pleased that the President listens and leaves Nigerians in no doubt that their opinions matter. We recall that he bowed to the wishes of Nigerians on the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and we also recall that the wishes of Nigerians have been his compass in crucial measures so far taken to contain terrorism in parts of the country.”
Applauding the President for disappointing the opposition who thought he was going to use the occasion to score political points, the PDP said Jonathan’s “rare humility in acknowledging teething national challenges, his manifest resolve to fight head-on until Nigerians are freed from the oppression of terrorism; his good wishes and prayers for the families of victims of terrorism and his strident call on those elected to govern at all levels to focus on improving the lives of our people and not selfish ambition,” show him as a leader alive to the welfare of his people.
While charging Nigerians to rise to the challenge of national revival which the President threw in his speech, the PDP said the assertion by President Jonathan that “ordinary folks and not politicians make a nation”, should sober every Nigerian and prick the heart of desperate politicians who have committed enormous energy to heat up the polity and divide the people.
According to the party, the admission by the President that it is not easy for Nigerians “to keep believing in the possibilities of our greatness when our faith is constantly challenged,” brings to the fore the humanity and humility of a committed leader and the imperative on the part of both the leaders and the led to renew commitment to nation building as the only assured course to victory.
