TEXT OF WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE  NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) CHIEF OLISA METUH ON THE FOURTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PDP, TODAY, AUGUST 31, 2012. 

Gentlemen of the press, 

Today, the 31st of August 2012 is the fourteenth anniversary of our great Party, the PDP. We all recall that exactly today in 1998, the heroic efforts of eminent Nigerians from all walks of life to form a credible, nationwide, issue and people based political party were crowned with the official lunching of our great party at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. 

The visions of the founding fathers of our party, the critical elements of its manifesto which centred on re-building Nigeria into a pride in the comity of nations, its untrammeled credibility as a truly national political party that has been providing a platform for all Nigerians to realize their political aspirations irrespective of religious, ethnic or cultural affiliations differentiate the PDP from its contemporaries, indeed, any other political party in the history of Nigeria.  This unique character of our party has been the major reason for its preference by Nigerians who have continued to renew our mandate as seen in 1999, 2003, 2007 and in 2011. 

August 27, 2012. 

A STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF PDP ON PURPORTED ENDORSEMENT OF ASPIRANTS AHEAD OF THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS. 

My attention has been drawn to media speculations that our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has anointed aspirants ahead of general elections in 2015. This information is speculative and completely false. 

I therefore, use this medium to call on party members, supporters and the entire Nigerians to disregard sensationalism as we move quickly to carry out reforms that will justify our existence as a ruling Party. This allegation is false and our Party has not anointed any persons for any position.

For the time being, the Party’s attention has been devoted to critical reforms that will guarantee quality life to our people, reconciliation in all aspects of our political life and instilling internal democracy in our political process. While we appreciate the concern and goodwill of the Nigerian people, we acknowledge the fact that reforms in any Country come with pains, anxiety and apprehensions. This is a necessary sacrifice confronting us as a nation today. This apprehension may have been responsible for the pre-emptive speculation of pre-mature endorsement of aspirants ahead of the 2015 elections.

27^th August 2012

Press Statement 

As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) turns fourteen on Friday, August 31, 2012, the Party said all its members in public offices must go the extra mile in ensuring the faithful and accelerated translation of its manifesto so as to meet up with the burgeoning expectations of the people.  The Party also said the 2015 re-election ticket for its members would be anchored strongly on credible performance while non–performing appointed officials would be shown the way out as well as be blacklisted.  

22^nd August 2012

PRESS RELEASE 

The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed dismay over the decision by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to embark on a nationwide strike over the non–payment of subsidy claims to the oil marketers, accusing the union of sabotaging the efforts of the federal government to ensure transparency and accountability in the petroleum industry. The Party also called on all Nigerians to give their tacit support to the federal government against a tiny cabal of oil marketers and their political collaborators -

22^nd August 2012

Press Release  

The Peoples Democratic Party has explained the statement by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Victor Umeh, accusing it of plotting to cause mayhem in Imo State as alarmist and an attempt to divert attention from the serial undemocratic activities being perpetrated by the APGA led government of Imo State. The statement also asked APGA to squarely face its internal crisis and stop fingering the PDP in its self inflicted woes.

August 19, 2012

PRESS STATEMENT

Let us Unite for Nigeria.

As Muslims the world over mark Eid el Fitri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for love and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians. The Party also called for sober reflection among Nigerians on the essence of patriotism and nation building.

“We cannot build our dear nation in the void of patriotism. The essentials of our diversity as a united and peaceful nation will be annulled without love for one another. At this period of great challenge in our history therefore, let us unite as we have always done to elevate the oneness and greatness of our nation above other considerations.”

August 18, 2012.

 PRESS STATEMENT

We Must Unite Against Attacks on National Interest.

As Nigerians join the world Muslim community in marking the Eid el Fitri celebration, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to reiterate the importance of patriotism, peaceful coexistence and a greater national consensus on matters that affect our collective well being. We wish to state that the task of ensuring peace and stability in Nigeria is not a burden for the PDP or President Goodluck Jonathan alone. We therefore call on our elders, leaders and opinion leaders to continue preaching the message of peace and unity amongst our people. We are happy to observe the efforts of prominent Nigerian leaders who have been promoting efforts of Government in tackling the current challenges that face the Nation.

August 15, 2012

Press Release 

ACN’S ALLEGATIONS AGINST OKUPE BASELESS –PDP 

In the last one week, we have noticed the vitriolic attacks on the person of Dr Doyin Okupe who was recently appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan as his Senior Special Assistant (Public Affairs), a position most reasonable Nigerians agree he is capable of handling effectively. 

We have noted the copious references by the ACN through its spokesman Mr. Lai Mohammed to the purported unwholesome acts in the execution of some projects in Benue and Imo States several Years ago. It is our considered opinion that issues of Contracts are basically civil issues between contracting parties and certainly most contract documents contain clauses for dispute resolutions.

14^TH JULY 2012

PRESS RELEASE 

The Peoples Democratic Party has said any objective assessment of President Goodluck Jonathan will reveal tremendous achievements the administration has recorded in the last fourteen months. The Party further said that effort by some desperate politicians to tar the PDP with non performance brush is beclouding their vision to the commendable efforts of government. 

“We have no doubt whatsoever the President is on course and will continue to deliver on the PDP promises to the people of Nigeria. Quite a lot has been achieved in the various sectors and there is no gain saying the government needs the continued support and prayers of Nigerians to do more.”

August 9, 2012.

 RE: CNPP blames PDP for crisis in Parties.

Our attention has been drawn to a press statement by the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) blaming the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for the intractable crisis in some political Parties in Nigeria. To set the records straight, we wish to state as follows.

The PDP cannot be held responsible for the inability of any group to discipline its members and peacefully organize themselves. The fact that fringe political associations have been unable to manage even the slightest disagreements amongst themselves is a clear evidence of their unpreparedness to administer a complex society like Nigeria.

5^TH AUGUST 2012

 PRESS RELEASE 

PDP TO THE OPPOSITION- We shall meet in Philippi 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the leadership of Nigeria’s opposition political parties to shed their personal interests as well as sectional agenda so as to realise their wish of forming an alliance that can challenge the PDP in 2015 general elections. The PDP also said it is not threatened by such an alliance since it remains the only truly national political Party that is deeply committed to the continued existence of Nigeria as well as to its transformation. 

Reacting to the on-going merger talks among the major opposition political parties, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said Nigerians are capable of separating the wheat from the chaff and will choose between an alliance where vaulting personal interests will ceaselessly riot and yield no support to national stability and the PDP which has remained the symbol of national unity and progress.     

“We hear of alliance and mergers everyday. That is not new. Let us wait for 2015. Do you think Nigerians are fools? Do you think that Nigerians do not take notice of the character and tendency of individuals and political parties? The PDP is the only party that is committed to the continued existence of Nigeria and the welfare of its people. At the appropriate time, they will decide whether to entrust their great nation to the hands of regionalists, doomsday prophets and pro-anarchists or to the safe hands of the PDP. Ounce of common sense will prefer the latter.” 

2^nd August 2012

Press Release

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has paid a deserving tribute to the Vice President, Arc.  Mohammed Namadi Sambo on his 58th birthday and described him as true Party man and a worthy acolyte in the transformation programme of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The National Chairman of our great party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) and our entire members wishes to congratulate the Vice President, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo, GCON, on this memorable day.”

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said the Vice President has distinguished himself in supporting the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan in the faithful implementation of the manifesto of the PDP. The statement further asked him not to rest on his oars.  

 “As our great party joins other Nigerians in rejoicing with you on this occasion, we wish to commend as well as put on record, the firm and reassuring steps that the Federal Government has so far taken in steering the ship of state in the right course.

“We pray God Almighty to further bless you with good health so that you will continue to assist the President in bringing to fruition, the task of national transformation which he has started in earnest.”

Chief Olisa Metuh

National Publicity Secretary