PDP Challenges APC To Debate, As Both Parties Hold Convention

 
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a national debate ahead of the general elections in 2015.
Both parties will be holding their national conventions, where the candidates that will vie for the position of president in the 2015 elections will emerge.
The APC will hold its convention and presidential primaries at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State, where about 8,000 delegates are expected to choose the candidate that will represent the party at the 2015 presidential elections.
Five aspirants are vying for votes from 8, 000 delegates to enable them fly the flag of the party at next years presidential election.
The five presidential aspirants are former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Governors of Kano and Imo States, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rochas Okorocha respectively, and the Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

Meanwhile, 3073 delegates of the PDP are expected to convene at the Eagles Square, Abuja, for the party’s national convention to ratify President Goodluck Jonathan’s adoption as the presidential candidate of the PDP by popular acclamation.
At the PDP convention, the party’s National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, who was appointed last January after the resignation of Bamanga Tukur, will also be ratified by the delegates.
Others to be ratified are the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, and the National Auditor, Wale Adeyanju.
Other items on the agenda include the amendment of some relevant portions of the party’s constitution.
PDP Challenges APC To A Debate
Speaking at a pre-national convention press briefing, chairman of the publicity committee for the national convention, Olisa Metuh, said “We will debate APC candidate on issues of unity, stability and peace of the nation.‎
“We have a very good product to sell to Nigerians. President Goodluck Jonathan will win the 2015 presidential poll based on his popularity. We are today sending notice to the opposition party, the APC to expect a crushing defeat at the poll. In view of our confidence, preparedness and the popularity of our candidate, we declare and urge the APC to put forward its two frontline aspirants.
“For us in the PDP, we are certain that with the grassroot support and love we enjoy from Nigerians across board, President Goodluck jonathan will secure an emphatic victory against any presidential candidate of the APC or all the candidates put together as one.
“Let us elevate the conduct of this election. We will base it on who is best for this country in terms of unity of this nation, who is best to stabilise our public policy, who is best to lead us to prosperity. On those three and other issues we will debate whoever is the candidate of APC”, he said.
Despite the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party had in October endorsed President Jonathan as sole candidate of the party, Mr Metuh noted that “we know he is the sole candidate but we still have to go through the election as provided by the Electoral Act and constitution of the party.”