PDP, a prodigal party – APC

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the leading opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a ‘prodigal party’ that has failed to learn any lessons as it purportedly deployed fake news strategies ahead of 2019 general elections.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the ruling party was not surprised at the PDP’s typical theatrics in an attempt to evade scrutiny for its 16 years of misgovernance.

Issa-Onilu voiced the APC’s support to the ongoing global media attention and efforts to check the proliferation of fake news particularly as the country gears up for campaigns ahead of the 2019 elections.

He said the consequences of fake news were often dire as it inflamed perceived divisions in our communities, fuelled hate speech, led to violence and distorted democratic processes, among others.

The statement partly read, “Disturbingly, the country’s main opposition, the PDP and its discredited agents, have continued to deploy the loathsome strategy of fake news, misinformation and distortion of facts as focal campaign strategies for the 2019 elections.

“PDP remains a damaged product showing no regret for its retrogressive old practices which brought the country to its knees in terms of our infrastructure, economy, security, values and standing among nations of the world.

“Instead of engaging the electorate on serious issues of development such as health, education, economy, foreign policy, security, corruption, pension, job creation, infrastructure development among others, the PDP and its agents have chosen to populate the mainstream and social media space with ludicrous fake news and infantile conspiracy theories, moving from one absurdity to another.

“While the PDP ups its game as a cry-baby, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration is busy building a new Nigeria for our collective progress, peace, unity and prosperity.

“We are restoring our country to its deserved standing among the comity of progressive nations; fighting corruption and repairing our value system, diversifying our economic revenue base, creating jobs and economic opportunities for Nigerians, particularly the poor; bringing succour to the insurgency-ravaged North-East; reforming the oil industry, power, defence, pensions, and other critical sectors; creating a world-class transportation system, amongst others.”