Date: 2015-01-28

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has berated the Minister of National Planning, Dr Abubakar Sulaiman over his speech at the presidential rally of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilorin on Monday.

The APC said Dr Sulaiman took deceit to its apogee when he listed Kwara State government projects and facilities as achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, the party reiterated that the people of Kwara State has not benefited any project or special intervention from the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.

"We understand the fear of losing the 2015 general election is taking its toll on Dr Abubakar Sulaiman and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but Mr Minister can not be pardoned for listing Kwara State government projects and facilities as achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan during PDP rally at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin on Monday.

"Dazed by the reality of no achievement to the credit of President Jonathan, to the amazement of everyone at the PDP rally including President Jonathan himself, Mr Minister embraced half-truths, distortion of facts, lies and deceit. Non-existing road projects were mentioned as achievements and it was deceit taken to its apogee when Dr Sulaiman said President Jonathan built the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin and Ganmo Integrated Power Plant.

"Of course, Mr President did not build the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin as wrongly claimed by Dr Sulaiman. Mr President himself must be thoroughly embarrassed by Mr Minister's false claim. In a desperate attempt to impress President Jonathan, Dr Sulaiman ended up embarrassing Mr President.

"It is on record that the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin is a state government facility that was built by the administration of Dr Bukola Saraki. Kwarans are fully aware of this fact.

"On Ganmo Integrated Power Project: the power project was built and completed by Dr Bukola Saraki. It was commissioned by late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua on 28th of July, 2009. Therefore, Kwarans should ask Dr Sulaiman if President Jonathan was a President in July, 2009?

"Even though, President Jonathan as Nigeria's Vice President was the representative of Late President Yar'adua on the board of National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in the capacity of chairman, President Jonathan can't claim credit for the project because he didn't build it.

"We are deeply disappointed that all a minister of over six months could offer were half-truths, lies and deceit. Neither, did an understanding of the stages of strategic planning reflect in Dr Sulaiman's speech.

"The Minister should have used the occasion to tell the people of Kwara State his achievements in office if he has any, except enriching himself and few of his family members, rather than telling lies.

"Mr Minister should be reminded that he has not taken any meaningful or impactful action to fault or surprise the vast majority Kwarans who kicked against his nomination based on inexperience and mistrust.

" Meanwhile, If the office is valueless as it seems, Mr Minister should immediately resign before the highly-incompetent administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is sacked on February 14 by the Nigerian voters

"Nigerians should note that at the same time President Jonathan was delivering political commentary at Metropolitan Square, Ilorin on Monday, thousands of PDP members in Asa local government area of Kwara State defected to our party, the All Progressives Congress. This act of defection and the timing of defection both speak volume about the readiness of Kwarans to support and vote for APC candidates in all elections.", the statement read.