By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday called on the leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to be intimidated by the antics of the opposition, saying that the party “is too strong to be defeated in a free and fair election.”
Addressing party stalwarts at the unveiling of the PDP Volunteer Scheme at the Banquet Hall of State House, Abuja, Jonathan said besides its numerous achievements, it was only the ruling party that could guarantee the unity and peace of the country.
Jonathan, who decried what he called “poor marketing” of the PDP by its members, stressed the need for party members to be proud of their party and stand in its defence at all times.
“We should all be proud of our party and we should not allow others to intimidate us. We must all collectively protect and defend the interest of our party,” he said.
Specifically, the president urged the party stalwarts to work hard in marketing the party using the media, especially at the grassroots, “so that the elections would be a walkover for the PDP.”
The president said the consistent attacks on him and the party by the opposition was a strategy to destabilise him.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Jerry Gana, Dr Ahmadu Ali, Chief Tony Anenih and the party’s candidates running for elective positions in the forthcoming general elections, among others.