PDP looking beyond 2015 and 2019 – Anenih

The Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, has said in spite of the predictions of doom about Nigeria, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party is looking beyond 2015 and 2019 in its efforts to sustain a stable, functional and democratic nation.
Anenih called on Nigerians to unite against forces seeking to endanger the country`s unity and security in Abuja on Wednesday.
In a goodwill message to commemorate 15 years of uninterrupted democracy in the country, he maintained that the PDP-led Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan had promoted the sanctity of unfettered democracy and freedom of expression.
His message titled; “Nigeria is stronger than it has ever been”, said despite the security challenge by terrorists, Nigeria remained stronger than it had ever been.
“This year’s Democracy Day falls within a period when, arising from the scourge of terrorism, some people question the strength of our democracy and unity.
“Without hesitation, I assure Nigerians that, despite the challenges we are facing, Nigeria is stronger than it has ever been,” he said.
He added that it had been a great privilege for the PDP to be at the helm of affairs of the country’s administration since the return of democracy in 1999.
“As with all human endeavours, we have had differences with our fellow citizens on the other side of the political divide.
“Our ongoing democratic journey is proof that the PDP continues to faithfully discharge its foremost duty to our country, which is sustaining democracy,” Anenih said.
He added that the party had also allowed dissent and the greatest level of inclusive political participation ever recorded in the country.
Anenih noted the high number of women in senior elective and appointive positions under the PDP leadership as one of the achievements of the party.
He added that President Jonathan had also demonstrated respect for the rule of law by his non-interference in the judicial, legislative and electoral matters.
He said it was ironic that the liberal and exceptionally tolerant president had been vilified for promoting the very democratic freedoms that others were using unfairly against the government.
He said the PDP was looking beyond 2015 and even 2019 when the fourth republic would be 20 years.
Anenih maintained that the PDP’s confidence stemmed from the fact that it had always been the party of the people, for the people and by the people.
The PDP, he added, had been responsible for the strategic restructuring of a largely state-run economy to a free-market economy.
This, he stressed, had engendered greater human development, free enterprise and irreversible economic expansion.
He said it was important to note that pursuing policies that were necessary for inclusive economic growth had further guaranteed political and democratic stability in the country.
He held that Nigeria had in the past four years, remained the choice destination for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Africa.
“The World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) held recently in Abuja is an affirmation from the international community that Nigeria’s democracy is on a firm footing despite security challenges,” he said.
Anenih noted that before the advent of PDP in 1999, official statistics placed the number of telephone lines in Nigeria at about 500,000.
“The Nigerian Communication Commission reports that there are well over 120 million active telephone lines in Nigeria. The benefits and the multiplier effects to our economy are phenomenal,” he added.
Anenih said PDP would continually strengthen the mechanism for internal democracy and urged other parties to do same.