By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- AS the on- going National Conference entered its third week, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday described the absence of the All Progressives Congress, APC as unnecessary grandstanding over critical issues that affect the welfare of the people and the future of the nation.
PDP has also condemned the attitude of APC saying that APC is engaging in what it termed, frivolous statements and actions against it.
These formed part of the resolutions reached at the end of a two day retreat organised by the office of the National Publicity Secretary for PDP Zonal and State Publicity Secretaries held in Bayelsa.
A communique signed by the former National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali who was the Chairman, Communique Committee, and Communique Secretary, Nwachukwu Ngige read, ” the retreat condemned in no uncertain terms, the attitude of the opposition who have been engaging in frivolous and unnecessary grandstanding over critical issues that affect the welfare of the people and the future of the nation. It cited in particular, the refusal of the APC to participate in the national conference despite the over a decade-long campaign by its leaders for a national dialogue.
“The retreat was declared open by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson who commended the publicity arm of the party for stoutly defending and improving image of the party despite serial distortion and deliberate misinformation by the opposition. He charged the publicity secretaries to live up to the challenge of projecting the achievements of the federal government which according to him were largely under-reported.
“After two days of rich deliberations during which eminent resource persons presented papers, the PDP Zonal and State Publicity Secretaries commended the National Chairman, Ahmadu Adamu Muazu on his emergence and applauded the firm steps the National Working Committee under his leadership has been taking to reposition the PDP.
“The retreat also commended President Goodluck Jonathan GCFR, who despite unwarranted attacks and distractions from the opposition, has remained focused in his commitment to transform Nigeria. It further commended his steadfastness to bringing a lasting solution to the lingering insurgency in parts of the country as well as his determination for a strong, united and peaceful Nigeria through the on-going national conference.
“Resource persons at the retreat were former PDP National Publicity Secretaries, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi and Barr. Tony Caesar Okeke.
“Others are the Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Ayogu Eze who also served as Chairman Senate Committee on Information, the Special Adviser to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe and his New Media counterpart, Reno Omokri,
“Also at the retreat were former Director General of the Peoples Democratic Institute of the PDP, Dr. Anthony Ubani, a professional political party communication expert, Christine Burtt and the IRI Nigeria Resident Country Director, Robina Namusisi.”
Vanguard