‘More PDP govs to decamp before polls’

• Baraje seeks masses-friendly election results

• Ahmed justifies Buhari’s boycott of debates

FORMER Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and now an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Abubakar Baraje, has said that more PDP governors would defect to his new party before the presidential polls, adding that even where they decide to remain, their souls and structures were already with the APC.

   Baraje, who spoke in Ilorin during his 64th birthday anniversary, stressed that the outcome of the presidential election in Nigeria must be masses-friendly to boost the nation’s growing democracy.

   According to him, the Nigerian masses truly deserve a change, as the PDP has misruled the country. Nevertheless, he said the APC would no doubt accept in good faith the outcome of the polls “if it is free, fair and credible.”

   However, he asked: “Even if we have free, fair and credible elections and the PDP wins, are the Nigerian masses ready to accept it? Are they ready to go for another four years of injustice and poverty?”

   On his part, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State yesterday defended the boycott of the presidential debates by the APC candidate, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), saying that debates are not the key issues in electoral matters but interactive sessions with electorates. 

   “Debate is not the key thing, as far as I am concerned. It is the interaction with people, where there would be questions and answers,” he said. “Debate is good but you may not have the opportunity of asking the questions that are specific and getting the right answer, unlike during interactive session.

   “I intend to hold (interactive sessions) too as soon we finish campaign, where we meet with stakeholders – labour unions, students, market women, artisans – discuss with them, get their pulse and create the platform of change in the right direction.”

   Addressing party supporters in Oke Ero council, Ahmed alleged that the Federal Government was starving states and councils of funds, therefore most of them could not embark on projects after paying salaries, with councils the hardest hit.

   He lamented that people were being killed daily in North-eastern Nigeria, claiming that soldiers were now retreating because they were not well equipped. Ahmed said: “We need a brave and courageous man to address the worsening insecurity, a man who would effectively manage our economy and stop the corruption being perpetrated at the centre.”

   Urging Kwarans to vote for Buhari for his integrity, truthfulness and for fair play and progress, he noted that Kwara massively voted for Jonathan in 2011 but has nothing to show for it.

   Of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) move to wrest power and liberate the state from the APC, Ahmed responded: “I don’t know how they want to liberate us, they are the ones that require liberation. The whole activities today are hanging towards change. I want to assure you that as it is, APC is going to win the election with a landslide.”