Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders across the country rose from their one-day National Conference in Abuja, on Thursday, condemning what they observed as the descent into authoritarianism by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
The conference noted the diminishing quality of governance under "the increasingly fascist APC regime" and resolved that PDP at all levels shall continue to ensure credible, robust and issue-based opposition, while promoting harmonious relationship among all people and ensuring that citizens’ confidence in democracy does not wane.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting, signed by the National Secretary of the party, Professor Wale Oladipo, condemned in strongest terms, "the growing authoritarianism of the APC-led Federal Government which has been characterised by gross violation of human rights, constitutional infractions, invasion of a governor’s lodge and private homes, deliberate interference and instigation of crisis in the legislature, arm-twisting of the judiciary, undermining of democratic institutions like INEC, nepotism in appointments, abuse of power and clamp down on opposition elements."
It called on the international community to note the growing impunity, abuse of power, constitution infractions, violation of human rights, selective war against corruption, clampdown on the opposition, divisiveness and overall high-handedness; tendencies that pose great threat to democracy and unity as a nation.
The conference resolved to denounce "the prevailing selective application in the fight against corruption targeted at opposition elements and perceived opponents of the regime, while APC members with corruption charges are being rewarded with ministerial positions and other juicy appointments as well as APC tickets in the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states."
The communique noted the sudden decline in the economy and quality of life of Nigerians, occasioned by what it said was the lack of direction of the APC government, in addition to the growing tension and rancour in the polity as direct consequences of the divisive tendencies of the present administration.
The communique further showed that the conference "vehemently rejected the current manipulation of the judiciary and security forces by the APC-led Federal Government in its desperate bid to subvert the sovereign will of the people and forcefully take over states genuinely won by the PDP in the last general elections and ultimately impose a one-party state in Nigeria.
It "charged the new INEC leadership to assert the independence of the electoral body, resist all external influences and ensure free, fair and credible electoral process in Kogi and Bayelsa states and other future elections, as the PDP will not accept any results that do not reflect the true wishes and aspirations of the people, particularly in Kogi and Bayelsa states."
Conscious of the imperative of a quick PDP rebound, the conference called for the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the PDP Post Election Review Committee Report, especially those relating to zoning, internal democracy, e-registration and the restructuring of the party at all levels with a view to giving the Party back to the rightful owners-the people.
It resolved to further expand the inclusion and the role of youths in the party programmes and policies and take steps to guarantee representation in Party organs, develop roadmap for a vibrant youth participation and support concession for electoral contests.
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