Accord party opposes poll shift

The National Working Committee of the Accord Party on Friday in Abuja expressed its opposition to the alleged plans by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to shift the February elections.
The party nevertheless, adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as its preferred candidate for the Presidential poll.


The party’s National Secretary, Mr. Oladapo Nureni, stated this while addressing  journalists at its National Secretariat in the nation’s capital.
He said, “We wish to associate ourselves with those in this country who are saying a tacit ‘No’ to the growing moves to shift the date of the elections.
“As a political party, which has sampled the mood of our numerous candidates and supporters nationwide, a polls shift, in our opinion, will only prolong the suffering of the masses without necessarily changing the political balance existing between the two major contenders for the Presidential election.


“We are therefore of the opinion that the Independent National Electoral Commission  should receive recommendation for being proactive on the issue of Permanent Voter Card distribution and for insisting that timetable for the elections is not tampered with.”
On the adoption of Jonathan as the party’s  candidate for the presidential election,  Nureni said, ”The mandate to enter into talks with the PDP was borne out of the motivation of our numerous candidates, most of whom crossed over to our party from the PDP.”


He said prominent members of his party  believed that Jonathan “remains a better candidate for the Presidential election and deserved to be supported by Accord.”
Nureni added, “After much brainstorming by the Working Committee and other stakeholders of the party, the following considerations were counted for President Jonathan.
“His administration has promoted and preserved the corporate entity of the Federal Republic Republic of Nigeria.


“The economy under his watch has witnessed appreciable growth.
“His transformation agenda is making a desirable impact in transforming the nation’s infrastructure.
“He is giving his all in the fight against insurgency in the North eastern part of Nigeria and has effectively rallied the entire country into seeing the terrorists as enemies of the country among other reasons.”