The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the claim by the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, to restore power to the PDP in 2019 is laughable.
This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja by the APC National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni.
Recall that Sheriff had boasted in Umuahia, Abia capital, that the PDP, which lost power in 2015, will regain control of the Federal Government in 2019 general elections.
Sheriff was also quoted as saying that the PDP would soon come out with its “master plan” to regain the power.
“The APC is reluctant to join issues with Sheriff’s idle 2019 postulations and would rather join issues that will bring about all-inclusive development in the country.
“However, the APC and indeed Nigerians seriously hope the touted `master plan’ includes how the PDP and its cronies will return public funds stolen under the PDP’s watch for 16 years.
“Nigerians are aware that the current economic hardship and institutional rot was caused by the PDP’s 16-year misrule and pillage.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has been working assiduously to correct the PDP’s years of damage and bring about people-centric governance.
“It is baffling how the PDP expects Nigerians to abandon APC’s smooth sailing ship for a sinking and rudderless PDP ship, come 2019,’’ the statement read in part.
It said the priority of the present APC-led administration was to deliver on election promises made by the party to Nigerians who long-desired change of political leadership at the federal level and in many states.
The statement chronicled the achievements of the Buhari-led administration in its eight months in power.
It said: “Happily, Nigerians can look back, with relief and attest that since the APC-led administration took over governance, Nigeria is back on the right track – economically and security-wise – and has taken its right of place among the comity of progressive nations.
“The widely-acclaimed job creation, social welfare and inclusion programmes proposed by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has been well received.
“The full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) by the present administration has greatly plugged revenue leakages.
“The presidential directive to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to adjust its pricing template to reflect competitive and market driven components has resulted in a more efficient and realistic pricing system for petroleum products and also brought about constant availability of fuel nationwide.
“Nigeria is winning the war against insurgency.
“In spite of desperate attempts to discredit ongoing anti-corruption efforts, the war against graft is being won.’’
It added that for the first time in many years, Nigeria now had a positive international image and the president was trying to cash in on this image to help rescue the nation from the throes and economic morass which the PDP 16-year caused.
The statement said the Buhari administration was on the right track to delivering on its Change Agenda and with the support and prayers of Nigerians, Nigeria would reach its full potential under the APC administration.