2015: No Party Can Defeat PDP, Says Turaki

Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs

Describes opposition as disorganised, restless, myopi

By Senator Iroegbu

The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has boasted that no other political party can defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election, despite merger efforts by opposition parties to upstage it.

Turaki made the declaration in Abuja at the weekend, during his investiture as the grand patron of a group known as, Coalition 2015 PDP, aimed at positioning the party for victory in the forthcoming general election.

He admitted that the party had been enmeshed in internal crises, which he attributed to the accommodating nature of the PDP whereby "a lot of characters who do not genuinely believe in its vision and manifesto but merely looking for a platform through which to advance their ambitions were allowed to join its fold.”

The minister, who is also the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged anti-party activities of some unnamed members of the party.

He said: "They came looking for ticket and when they got it, they think it is everything.

"What they don't know is that their activities are overheating the polity and starting their act of indiscipline so early, including their diversionary tactics, are capable of taking the focus of leadership away from the main issue and good governance."

Turaki, who also took a swipe at the opposition, described them as unorganised and restless, “only resorting to regrouping and abusing the PDP because the party is beating their expectation".

According to him, "When you see opposition regrouping and becoming restless, it leads to the conclusion that PDP is doing well and beating their expectation. Because President Goodluck Jonathan has given good leadership, they came together to collaborate and connive against us but theirs is a marriage of inconvenience.

"Their members are diametrically opposed to each other; they are myopic and selfish and don't see beyond their noses.”

The minister assured Nigerians that President Jonathan would not be intimidated and would continue to religiously pursue his transformation agenda despite several distractions from different quarters with various "selfish agenda," adding that the award given to him by the group as one of the most vibrant support groups in Africa is a no mean feat.

In a related development, the PDP chieftain has called for objective analysis of achievements of the present administration, which he said, had done well in so many areas including economy, transportation, agriculture and education.

"Talking about the economy in concrete terms, there is real growth and a lot of confidence and a lot of people who left Nigeria looking for greener pasture are coming back because they believe in the government of President Jonathan and the vision of PDP.

"Nigeria is better now because of PDP but we can do more. PDP will continue to deliver quality dividends of democracy," he promised.

Earlier, the national coordinator of the group, Haruna Abiodun, said the core aims and objectives of the organisation was to campaign and drum support for whoever emerges PDP presidential candidate in 2015 general election.

He noted that this would be done in the next two years to put in place formidable structures throughout the local government areas in the country.

He also described the minster as a great man and an astute politician with vision and resilience to provide exemplary leadership

Abiodun said: "This is evident from the programmes and policies being initiated by him and progress, stability and achievements recorded within the short time of his appointment.

"Turaki's giant strides over additional assignment as chairman presidential committee on amnesty to Boko Haram cannot be over-emphasised. His bravery and determination to end the insurgency have shattered previous myth of a perennially divided nation. Turaki has evolved into the greatest symbol of hope and resilience."