2015: PDP Can’t Win South East – Okorie
— Aug 11, 2014 |
The national chairman of United Progressives Party (UPP),
Chekwas Okorie has scored the performances of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) government in the South East geo-political zone low and
declared that the party cannot win in the zone in the 2015 general
elections.
Speaking at the weekend shortly after inaugurating the newly elected Anambra State Executive Committee of the UPP State Secretariat in Awka, Okorie stated that South East PDP leaders have failed their people and there is nothing they can do now to attract their votes.
He disclosed that UPP is targeting the Presidency in the election, and being the only party out of the 26 registered political parties in the country that has declared that its presidential candidate must come from the South East, the party is at an advantage to come out victorious in the presidential election.
Citing Greece as an example, Okorie noted that there were instances where a party that did not have control of the National Assembly won the presidency, adding that UPP, being a mass movement, would capitalise on Igbo support to upset the ruling party in 2015.
“UPP is targeting the presidency of this country. President Jonathan is doing okay but a UPP President for Nigeria will do better,” he said.
And let nobody think we are joking. There have been countries where a party with the popular manifesto, the popular candidate won the presidency without controlling the National Assembly. Greece is one of them.
“As for the National Assembly, our target is to clear the South-East to start with. And then of course make inroad in other places. We are not telling you that we will win the whole country” he said.
Taking a critical look at the 2015 presidential race, Okorie pointed out that Nigerians have only two clear choices, either to go for change, or to maintain the statusquo, which according to him, ‘is not attractive to anybody’, stressing that UPP represents the change.
“APGA has adopted Jonathan before he even says he is running. UPP has even taken the third position without firing a shot. Without even casting the first ballot, we have already prepared as the party to reckon with as far as 2015 is concerned.
“By the time we gather the quantum of seats or votes, it is either we form that government or nobody can form that government without negotiating with us. By that I mean that what happened in the First Republic between NCNC and NPC in a coalition or Second Republic between NPP and NPN in an accord, will repeat itself in 2015. We will either be the senior partner or at least a critical partner” Okorie said.
He said a battle line drawn between the progressive forces which UPP represents and the reactionary forces, such as the party ruling now (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), which do not make any pretense about their ultra-conservatism.
According to him, UPP represents the face of the progressive and Nigerians, who are rational people if given the chance, would make the right choice.
Okorie however gave kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding that people are beginning to have more confidence in the electoral process, leading to increased participation as witnessed in last Saturday’s Governorship election in Osun State where over 900,000 people were expected to vote out of over one million registered voters, as against 25 percent turn out recorded in the past.
Making an inaugural speech, the State Chairman of UPP, Dr Sylvester Igwilo assured that his executive would do everything possible to ensure that the party takes the leadership position in the country and Anambra State in particular.
Speaking at the weekend shortly after inaugurating the newly elected Anambra State Executive Committee of the UPP State Secretariat in Awka, Okorie stated that South East PDP leaders have failed their people and there is nothing they can do now to attract their votes.
He disclosed that UPP is targeting the Presidency in the election, and being the only party out of the 26 registered political parties in the country that has declared that its presidential candidate must come from the South East, the party is at an advantage to come out victorious in the presidential election.
Citing Greece as an example, Okorie noted that there were instances where a party that did not have control of the National Assembly won the presidency, adding that UPP, being a mass movement, would capitalise on Igbo support to upset the ruling party in 2015.
“UPP is targeting the presidency of this country. President Jonathan is doing okay but a UPP President for Nigeria will do better,” he said.
And let nobody think we are joking. There have been countries where a party with the popular manifesto, the popular candidate won the presidency without controlling the National Assembly. Greece is one of them.
“As for the National Assembly, our target is to clear the South-East to start with. And then of course make inroad in other places. We are not telling you that we will win the whole country” he said.
Taking a critical look at the 2015 presidential race, Okorie pointed out that Nigerians have only two clear choices, either to go for change, or to maintain the statusquo, which according to him, ‘is not attractive to anybody’, stressing that UPP represents the change.
“APGA has adopted Jonathan before he even says he is running. UPP has even taken the third position without firing a shot. Without even casting the first ballot, we have already prepared as the party to reckon with as far as 2015 is concerned.
“By the time we gather the quantum of seats or votes, it is either we form that government or nobody can form that government without negotiating with us. By that I mean that what happened in the First Republic between NCNC and NPC in a coalition or Second Republic between NPP and NPN in an accord, will repeat itself in 2015. We will either be the senior partner or at least a critical partner” Okorie said.
He said a battle line drawn between the progressive forces which UPP represents and the reactionary forces, such as the party ruling now (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), which do not make any pretense about their ultra-conservatism.
According to him, UPP represents the face of the progressive and Nigerians, who are rational people if given the chance, would make the right choice.
Okorie however gave kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding that people are beginning to have more confidence in the electoral process, leading to increased participation as witnessed in last Saturday’s Governorship election in Osun State where over 900,000 people were expected to vote out of over one million registered voters, as against 25 percent turn out recorded in the past.
Making an inaugural speech, the State Chairman of UPP, Dr Sylvester Igwilo assured that his executive would do everything possible to ensure that the party takes the leadership position in the country and Anambra State in particular.
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