By Sani Wilson Enemona
National Vice Chairman of the Nigerias largest opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South Zone, Chief Dan Orbih, has mentioned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has no candidate in its fold worthy of winning a Nigeria’s presidential election in 2023.
The Vice chairman who spoke to reporters in the Edo State capital, Benin on Sunday, stated that his was more evident since the ruling party was looking outside of its fold for a worthy candidate to represent the APC in the 2023 presidential election.
The vice chairman was reacting to a story that went viral saying former President Goodluck Jonathan was being wooed to contest the Presidential election under the APC platform.
“The APC has come under a lot of criticisms of late over its performance at the centre, with many Nigerians arguing that it was a mistake to have let the party take over the reins of power.
“The worsening security situation in many parts of the country, occasioned by terrorist acts, banditry and kidnappings, has left many Nigerians unsure of their safety.
Many Nigerians have also lamented the economic situation as cost of living has continued to escalate, living many more Nigerians below the poverty line.’
Orbih further said that shopping for a presidential candidate by a ruling political party in an opposition party was a public admittance that the party has not found any person worthy of running for that position within their ranks.
Orbih said that the 2023 presidential election would be a very serious election, hence the ruling party was shopping for a presidential candidate from the PDP,
“because they have no presidential material”, a situation that has been compounded by the apparent failure of the APC federal government to deliver on its electoral promises to the people.
He explained that the PDP can boasts of qualified Nigerians in its fold that could make a difference in governance and move the nation forward.
He also added that this was why the PDP as a party was very formidable with other political parties shopping for candidates from the party.
“So I am not surprised that they are looking for people in the PDP to come and contest the presidential ticket in their party.
“It shows clearly that they are aware that in their party, they don’t have anybody that can win the next presidential election.
He also querried those criticising a governor of one of the South-South states for saying he would not support a former President of the country if he decides to pursue his political ambition in another party.
According to him, it will be unfair to expect a loyal PDP member to go and vote for a candidate in another party.
“That will amount to anti-party activities”, Orbih said.