PDP Believes in Stomach Infrastructure, Says President Jonathan, Explains Why

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday claimed his administration has succeeded in cutting the widespread poverty in the country by at least 50 per cent, adding that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, fully subscribes to the principle of “stomach infrastructure”.

Mr. Jonathan said this while speaking at a PDP rally in Benin, tagged ‘Unity Mega Rally’.

He said the PDP as a party believes in stomach infrastructure because the party must ensure that there was food security and job creation in the country.

“Stomach infrastructure” creeped into Nigeria’s political lexicon after the Ekiti governorship election when voters were induced with bags of rice and other foodstuff to vote in certain directions.

But the president said Saturday that any leader who claimed not to believe in stomach infrastructure was not ready to lead, as “you cannot lead hungry people.’’

He described the PDP as the only stable party since its formation that had never changed its name, logo or motto, adding that it is the only party that gives its members the freedom to aspire to the highest level.

He said that all the nation needed was unity, and gave the assurance that although all the roads could not be rehabilitated at once, his administration would continue to improve on all infrastructure in the country.

He also gave the reassurance that since the nation was able to conquer the Ebola Virus Disease, it would also conquer the Boko Haram insurgency.

The president however appealed to party loyalists to be decent in their various electioneering competitions in order not to create enemies among themselves.

Earlier, Vice President Namadi Sambo said the present administration had completed seven power projects with a total of 2,000 mega watts for the South-south under the transformation agenda.

Similarly, Senate President David Mark described Mr. Jonathan as “a good sell’’ hence his unanimous adoption by the party as its choice candidate for the 2015 presidential election.

The PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, described the president as a bridge builder and unifying factor.

He reassured the gathering that all defectors to the party would be reintegrated into the party without bias.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Tony Anenih, said the zone had every reason to be proud of its contribution to national development.

He also said that the zone had made sacrifice to keep the country together as well as contributed to the nation’s economic growth.

Earlier in his arrival in Benin, the president inaugurated the Benin-Ofusu dual carriageway, where Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo described the quality of work as impressive.

Mr. Oshiomhole also congratulated the president on the massive road construction and rehabilitation across states in the country.

The rally was attended by the who-is-who in the PDP both in the state and in the country, including serving and past governors, national assembly members, as well as aspirants.

(NAN)