GEJ: Why PDP believes in stomach infrastructure

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) believes in the concept of ‘stomach infrastructure’ because it is impossible for any leader to lead hungry people, President Goodluck Jonathan said on Saturday.

Speaking in Benin at the South-South PDP political rally in Edo state tagged ‘Unity Mega Rally’, the president explained that this belief is the reason his administration “has reduced the country’s poverty rate by 50 per cent”.

“PDP, as a party, believes in stomach infrastructure because the party must ensure that there is food security and job creation in the country,” he said.

“Any leader who claims not to believe in stomach infrastructure is not ready to lead, as you cannot lead hungry people.”

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

The president assured those at the rally that since the nation was able to conquer Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), it would also conquer the Boko Haram insurgency.

He acknowledged that many roads all over the country are in need of rehabilitation, saying that although all of them could not be rehabilitated at once, his administration would continue to improve on all infrastructure in the country.

However, the president appealed to loyalists of the party 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.

While speaking, Senate President David Mark described Jonathan as “a good sell”, hence his unanimous adoption by the national executive committee of the party as its sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election.

National chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, described the president as a bridge-builder and unifying factor, while chairman of its board of trustees, Chief Tony Aneneih, said the zone had every reason to be proud of his contributions to national development.

Earlier, Jonathan inaugurated the Benin-Ofusu Dual Carriage, whose quality of work Governor Adams Oshiomhole described as impressive.