2019: Take Things Easy, Make It Best Election In Nigeria -PDP Chieftain Urges Politicians, INEC

A presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Stanley Osifo, has urged politicians to take things easy as the 2019 General Elections approach.

Osifo, who spoke in an interview in his constituency in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, advised politicians not to see the election as a do or die affair, adding that Nigerians know what they want.

Osifo also advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do their best this time around and ensure that the elections are free and fair.

The Edo State-born politician urged INEC to ensure that election results are not manipulated and make it the best that has been conducted in Nigeria.

While saying that the security agents in the country are non-partisan, he advised that they should treat everybody equally and do things appropriately.

Osifo however, said that assessment of the government is based on the opinion of the people.

"You might not know what it takes to occupy leadership positions until you get there.

"Many people say so many things to get to leadership positions, but when they get there it is another ball game. Many politicians make promises based on what the current government is doing, but when they get there they see the opposite," he said.

He said further that he would not say the present government has not done well because he is not there despite the challenges the country is facing at the moment.

He stated that people have their perceptions, but that it is not for him to rate the current government.

"There is hope for today, I cannot talk of tomorrow. Our perception matters, if we don't change our perception, we will find out that it would be difficult.

"People believe that things cannot get better, I don't believe so. We should join hands to make things better for all. If we have that belief that we can make contributions to make things better. It will be. A lot of people believe that things cannot get better. Today there is hope, tomorrow there is hope," he said.

Osifo also used the opportunity to express his grievances with the PDP on its National Convention in Abuja, where the party's primary elections were held.

He said that he aspired for the position of the President of Nigeria under the PDP because he believed in the improvement of what we have in the country.

According to him, it was a surprise to him that his name was not listed at the convention of the party.

"I want the whole Nigeria to know what happened during the primaries of our party in Abuja. I purchased a form and I am fully qualified to contest for the presidency, but my name was not listed on the ballot paper as a  contestant.

"We have written the leadership of the party and I expect them to respond. I tried to meet the Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus after the convention, but it was not possible," he said.

Osifo stated that he was not happy with what happened and that it was only his name that was not published by the party at the convention.

He said that he was at the primaries with his people and that being the youngest of the aspirants, he represented the youths.

"I want the National Convention of the party to be declared null and void and they should organise another one because it was not properly carried out.

"There are rules guiding the primaries and there is a provision for another election to be done if there are irregularities.

"We would take a legal action against the party if they don't listen to our demands.

"Even the Electoral Act agrees with what we said that if there are issues such a convention should be reconvened.

"I believe that things would take shape, I don't believe in indiscipline  nepotism, discrimination or anything negative. I want to believe that they are getting to know my grievances.

"I am a party man to the core and a member of the PDP, I would give them my support.

"I believe in dialogue as a party man. If there is any misunderstanding we can resolve it. What happened does not stop me from working for the party. I am still a member of the PDP.

"A lot of people have defected from their parties to others I believe that we will resolve the issue, so I don't need to defect to any other party," he stated.

Osifo also spoke on the various sectors of the country.

On education, he said that he believed in the development of infrastructure in education and that he was passionate about that.

He added that he believed that the nation needed empowerment through education.

His words: "I also believe that our health sector needs improvement and the available statistics show that this has not been done.

"Most of the ailments Nigerians have can be treated here. I also believe that we should develop our power sector because it helps the people on investment.

"Our people also talk of starvation, I believe that we should develop our agriculture sector. There is also insecurity in the country, I believe our people must be protected.

"That is the kind of person I am. I believe in the Nigerian project, a lot of people don't believe in Nigeria. They don't know that things can change in the country."