PDP Commends Jonathan For Deepening Democracy, Condemns Intimidation, Harassment Of Members

SAN FRANCISCO, April 21, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tuesday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for deepening democracy in the country.

The commendation came at the end of the inaugural meeting of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and PDP Governors and Senators-elect in Abuja.

A communiqué read on behalf of the meeting by Senator George Thompson Sekibo said the meeting was highly commendable and must be sustained by the party.

The meeting, which commended the President Jonathan for his statesmanly disposition in the sustenance of democracy and peace in the country, however frowned at what it described as the unprecedented level of intimidation, harassment and undue persecution of the party members since the INEC declaration of the APC candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

Calling on INEC to be forthright and impartial in the handling of the various elections pending in Abia, Imo and Taraba States, the meeting vehemently frowned at what it described as the shameless undemocratic ways and means being displayed by the outgoing APC lawmakers in Ekiti state towards effecting an unconstitutional change in government.

The meeting alleged that the APC is planning to use the Tribunals and Salamic arrangements to truncate and subvert the freely given mandate by the people in the states and constituencies

It expressed deep concerns at the plans by the APC to allegedly make the country a one-party state using crude and underhand, undemocratic practice and thus reverse the gains of the PDP led administration.

The meeting congratulated all the winners on the platform of the PDP in the elections and urged them to discharge their duties and form a formidable opposition that can redirect the fortunes of the country and sustain the gains of the present democratic era led by President Jonathan.

The meeting stressed the importance of unity, peace and harmony in the party for effectiveness in its new role and warned that it would not condone agents of APC working as fifth columnists to destabilise the leadership of the party.

The meeting commended all members of the party for their unflinching support and belief in the party even in the face of intimidation, pernicious violence and untold harassment.

It assured all members of the party across the country of adequate protection in the exercise of their democratic franchise always.