The PDP Chairman says the party has campaigned vigorously

As political parties in Plateau round off campaigns for Tuesday’s Local Government polls, the PDP Chairman, Haruna Dabin, says he is optimistic that his party would win.

“We have planned and campaigned vigorously; we were careful to field the most acceptable candidates.

“Our rallies have recorded huge crowds which we hope to translate into massive votes toward total victory,’’ Mr. Dabin said on Sunday in Jos.

He said the PDP had gone to all wards and local governments and had made effort to mobilise all to its side.

While challenging opponents to also campaign, he said that people seeking elective posts should woo voters rather than wait to complain when they are floored.

Mr. Dabin said the party had also set up a committee to carry out a door-to-door campaign to get people out to vote on the Election Day.

“Sometimes, we have apathy setting in with voters just staying at home on election days. We must get them out to vote so that we can have a strong participatory democracy.

“Plateau has been a PDP state for the past 15 years, but we have never taken the voters for granted; we try to give account of our stewardship and steady progress.

“We also accept criticisms and strive to improve on service delivery; we believe that is the only way to keep the social contract with the electorate,’’ he said.

On the reported imposition of candidates by the PDP, he said the party adopted a philosophy of give and take by striving to reach consensus so as to minimise acrimony.

“In areas where we had disagreements, we have reached to those affected and tried to pacify them.

“We have told those aggrieved that one cannot set his house ablaze just because he wants to catch a rat.

“We have also told them that the PDP is a big family and has room for everybody.

“We have reminded them that it is better to have your worst enemy as the elected leader than your best friend elected in a rival party,’’ he said.

Mr. Dabin advised voters to be orderly during and after the polls and cautioned against acts capable of causing confusion during the exercise.

(NAN)