…Says Buhari Frontally Addressing Illegal Migration Scourge
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is amused by the interest the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has in the mode of election the APC chooses to adopt for Primaries to elect Party candidates for the 2019 elections.
The APC in a statement signed by the Acting NAtional Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena said with over 13 million registered APC members coupled with a large section of nonpartisan Nigerian electorate supporting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, it would seem that the PDP on account of its attack of APC’s adoption of Direct primaries particularly to elect its presidential candidate, has already conceded defeat even before the 2019 elections.
The Party said: “We quite understand that the revolutionary and progressive idea of Direct primaries to elect party candidates is strange to the PDP — a Party known for its inability to ensure internal Party democracy and actively promotes imposition of candidates against the will of its members.
“Direct Primaries among others ensure fairness; creates a level playing ground for contestants; eliminates corrupt tendencies usually associated with the delegates system and ultimately ensure full and direct participation of party members at all levels in the election of Party candidates.
“The APC is a Progressive Party and will continue to implement the Change Agenda promised to Nigerians. We urge Nigerians to continue their support as the President continues to rebuild and re-position the country.”
Meanwhile, the APC has strongly condemned the unfortunate attempt by the PDP to politicise President Buhari’s statement on the illegal migration and trafficking of Nigerians during the visit of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.
“The PDP in its typical insensitive and unguarded stance on matters affecting the country is exploiting an issue that bother on the lives of Nigerians (mostly youth). It is a known fact that many Nigerian families have suffered grief as a result of deaths and other inhuman treatment that have befell relatives attempting migration to Europe and other parts of the world.
“Through support of international agreements/efforts towards curbing illegal migration, repatriation of stranded Nigerian migrants and addressing root causes encouraging illegal migration of Nigerians, the President Buhari administration has demonstrated the political will to check the scourge.
“The pains and suffering most Nigerians go through with the hope of reaching Europe has been well reported. Through relevant agencies, the President Buhari administration has continued to mitigate the migration crisis, particularly in Libya and Mediterranean Sea.
“Nigerians will recall the presidential directive for Nigerians to be evacuated from Libya and other locations and be returned home safely. Already in place are several interventionist programmes of the federal government to enable them start new and productive lives.
“With unemployment and poverty identified as one of the root causes of illegal migration, the President Buhari administration is using initiatives like N-Power, Bank of Industry Youth Entrepreneurship Support, Central Bank of Nigeria support schemes, Agriculture, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country,” Nabena wrote.