PDP committed to sustaining Nigeria, say Akpabio, Okowa, Aliyu as traders make brisk business in Abuja

The Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is committed to sustaining a united Nigeria.
Akpabio stated this at the National Convention of PDP in Abuja on Saturday, and said that the party was committed to sustaining democracy in the country.
“We believe strongly that any government in power that does well will promote Nigeria’s unity. We believe that if the government in power does well, it will bequeath a better Nigeria to future generation.”
Akpabio, who is Chairman, PDP Senate Caucus in the National Assembly, said that PDP would always work for the betterment of the common man.
He assured Nigerians that the party would not let the people down.
“We are prepared to work with any group that emerges as the national executive of the party. We want a free contest because better days lie ahead,’’ he said.
The caucus chairman urged members who left the party to return, adding that the party also had room for new members.
Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, Chairman, National Convention Organising Committee, on Saturday, reassured candidates contesting for various offices of level-playing ground.
Okowa, who is the Governor of Delta State, gave the assurance at the opening of the party’s convention in Abuja.
While welcoming delegates and guests to the event, Okowa said that the committee had worked hard to make the convention successful.
He thanked the National Caretaker Committee of the party for sustaining the party through its crisis period and for its contribution to ensure that the convention was held.
“After today, we shall come out stronger as a party that will make all members proud; we shall come out as vessels of honour.
“In several meetings with the aspirants, the electoral committee had assured aspirants of a level-playing ground.
“We have taken oath to God and the committee is determined to deliver a free and fair election,” he said.
He urged the delegates to cooperate with the committee to ensure a smooth process.
Presenting a report on the party’s activities, National Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ben Obi, said that the political landscape in the country had been difficult for the party.
He alleged that the ruling party, the All Progress Congress (APC) had made efforts to frustrate the PDP, but that the doggedness of the members had kept the party alive.
Obi said the committee had successfully conducted congresses in all the states except Osun and had reconciled many differences among members.
He said that the party must continue to forge ahead and play according to the rules, noting that PDP was the hope of all Nigerians.
The secretary said that staff of the party had not been paid for three years but the workers had remained faithful to the party, especially during its crisis.
He urged the National Executive Committee that would emerge from the convention to address the welfare of the staff, especially their salary, saying that it was not salutary for the party.
Meanwhile, PDP Former Governors Forum said Nigerians had realised that there was no better alternative political party to the PDP.
Chairman of the forum and former Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu, stated this on Saturday at the National Convention of PDP in Abuja.
He said that losing power in 2015 general elections was a blessing in disguise to the party.
“Many Nigerians now understand that the PDP governors did well. Many of them now realised that there is no better alternative to the PDP,” Aliyu said.
He pledged that if the PDP returned to power in 2019, it would keep to all its agreements with stakeholders and Nigerians.
Aliyu said that PDP government would ensure that it created millions of jobs for Nigerian youths, commercialised agriculture, give subsidies to farmers, fight corruption and ensure justice.
He expressed belief that PDP would leave the convention stronger and better.
In his remarks, Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose, said that PDP would not only make a difference at the convention, but in the 2019 general elections.
Fayose urged all aspirants to put party interest first and vote for PDP, not individual interests, saying that they must ensure that the party won at the convention.
He urged Nigerians to vote the party back to power to restore the good tidings that Nigeria had lost within the two and half years.
“If we come back, a bag of rice selling now for N20, 000 will come down to N7, 000.”
Former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, on behalf of PDP Former Ministers Forum, commended the National Caretaker Committee of the party for conducting a successful convention.
He expressed optimism that PDP would be strong again and that the convention would be free and fair.
Meanwhile, traders on Saturday took advantage to make brisk sales around the Eagle Square, venue of the National convention.
Traders such as food and drink vendors, clothing, shoes and other items took over both the middle and walk ways of Tafawa Balewa way.
Vehicular movement was restricted along the street as well as Shehu Shagari way making it easier for the traders to set up their tents.
The areas from around the Ministry of Finance down to Federal Secretariat phase one was fully occupied by the traders.
Some traders expressed optimism that the convention would help them make pumper sales.
Mrs Agnes Bala, a food vendor said that she had been selling since Friday night since many of the party supporters slept inside their vehicles around the venue.
Bala added that even though there were competitions because of the number people that sell food within the area, patronage had been good.
She commended PDP for the opportunity to make some money, saying that such kind of event was an avenue for business opportunities.
“I thank God for today because, we are selling very well because of the large number people that are here.
“Even though we are many here market is still moving well. So I believe that we will make enough sales before the end of the convention.
“We are not selling it too expensive because we sell a plate for between N300 and N500 depending on what you eat.”
Another trader, Mallam Aliu Adamu, who sells clothing materials and shoes said that he expected to make good sales during the event.
Adamu said that the event would afford him opportunity to sell especially as a lot of party supporters could have need to change their clothes or shoes.
He also said that since Christmas was already approaching, a lot of the party supporters would like to shop for their loved ones.
According to him, you know that they are going to make money from here and we are here to get part of it by selling our goods to them.
A vendor of PDP caps, tags and hand bands, Mr Innocent Akuriene, said he had sold over 30 units of cap, more than 55 tags and other items.
According to him, many party members would want to carry some things that have PDP symbol and that is why he decided to produce the items.
A party supporter, Ahmed Sanusi, said he came from Bauchi State to support his party and expressed confidence that the convention would bring about stability in the party.
Sanusi said he had been eating from the food vendors since on Friday, adding that the food were not too expensive contrary to what he expected.
He said that he believed in PDP to take over power from the ruling party in 2019.