Also absent at the event which took place at the well decorated Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Abuja, with fireworks to usher in the 112-page book entitled “Profile of achievements” put together by PDP Youth Network, were the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; members of PDP National Working Committee, NWC; the chief launcher, Chief Prince Arthur Eze, among others.
Jonathan, who was expected at the launch of the book which chronicled his achievements, was absent without sending any representative just as ministers, senators, House of Representatives members as well as other prominent Nigerians were absent and did not send representatives.
Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum and Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, was absent and was also not represented. Governor Murktar Ramallan Yero of Kaduna and Ibrahim Shema of Katsina, however, sent representatives.
Buhari, an old plane parked for too long
— Ahmadu Ali
In his speech at the event, former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali who took a swipe at the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari, however, likened him to an old plane that has been parked for too long, whose functionality cannot be guaranteed, just as he boasted that Nigerians will,by 2019 celebrate the successes of President Jonathan when he must have completed his tenure.
Represented by Akeem Atojoko, Ali who is the Director-General, PDP 58- member National Campaign Council, NCC however likened President Jonathan to a plane that has been working for ten years, which in aviation rules, would be better and well guaranteed than a new one that has just been purchased.
According to him, critics of President Jonathan take advantage of his taciturn nature to always insult him but if he were a garrulous person and he attacks them regularly, they would have for long stopped the insults.
He said: “The book is a must read, if our President was lousy, there will be no avenue for the opposition to trade words and blames at him. He is easy going and quiet and he is digital.
“We will be here in 2019 to celebrate the successes of President Jonathan when he must have completed his work. With the course I did on Aviation, we were told that a 10-year plane which has been working is far better than a brand new one you buy today. Buhari is an old plane that has been parked for long, we have a plane that has been flying; if you have a plane that has been flying for 10 years, it is better and trusted than a new one.“
Gana advises govt on fight against B’Haram
Reviewing the book, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, who hailed the PDP Youth Network for coming up with such a research material on the achievements of the president, however urged the Federal Government to, in 2015, review its strategies on how to fight the Boko Haram sect, adding that there was the need for all hands to be on the deck to nip in the bud, the security challenge in some parts of the country.
Represented by Prof. Sam Andii, Gana who noted that the youths must be supported and encouraged to get there, stressed the need for the government to put in place measures of regulating and monitoring of its policies to ensure that the aim and objectives of putting them in place were realised.
On the book, he advised the organisers to ensure that they balance the write up not only highlighting the achievements, but the challenges for adjustment, even as he said what the President had done would be a template for what he would do come 2015.
