Members of the Dr. Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, mocked the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government for “making history” as the first administration not to have started the implementation of the national budget by December.

They said it was curious that by December, the 12th and last month of the year, the government had yet to start the implementation of the 2025 budget, thereby setting a national record.

It was at an event where the party presented a Certificate of Return to its 2026 Ekiti State governorship candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, in Abuja.

The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) members, the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly Caucus, 30 state chairmen, former ministers, among others, attended the occasion, which was held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre.

Speaking as he presented the certificate to Oluyede, the National Chairman of the party, Dr Tanimu Turaki, said forces fighting the PDP both within and outside would not succeed because the impressive attendance was an indication that “this is the authentic PDP.”

He stated, “Nigerians have seen our BoT members; Nigerians have seen the state chairmen; Nigerians have seen the National Assembly members; they have seen the former governors and founding members, all of them are here.

So, who else is something in PDP who is not here today? There is none.

“Those still in doubt should know that this is the authentic PDP. Look no further.”

Turaki added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having recognised the processes that led to the Ekiti primaries and monitored the election, confirmed that the party enjoyed the blessing of the electoral umpire.

“If God is with you, who will be against you? As far as electoral matters are concerned in Nigeria, if INEC is with you, who will be against you?

“I challenge anybody who says they are PDP, let them present their candidate for the Ekiti governorship election”, he boasted.

However, there is another camp of the PDP backed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, and chaired by Honourable Mohammed Abdulrahman. The camp doesn’t recognise the Turaki-led NWC, which emerged at the November 15 Ibadan convention of the party.

Senator Abdul Ningi and Honourable Ali Isa JC led the National Assembly Caucus to the certificate presentation on Wednesday in the absence of Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, who took an excuse to be away.

“If you had any doubts before as to whether PDP is still alive, today’s occasion has cleared your doubts. This is the proof. Those who founded this party never benefited from any position. That is why the PDP can’t die”, Ningi told the session.

Isa JC, while speaking, drew the attention of Nigerians to what he described as a “remarkable achievement” scored by the APC’s government for not implementing the 2025 budget as of December.

“This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that, in December, this government has not started the implementation of the 2025 budget. It is a record; no political party has ever achieved that one”, he stated, as he pledged the total support of the House of Representatives members for the party.

Speaking on behalf of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen, the Coordinator and Chairman of Edo State chapter, Tony Aziegbemi, also taunted the APC for the inability of its government to start the implementation of the 2025 budget by December.

“The country hasn’t started its budget in December. This is a record set by the APC.

“This is one of the reasons we must return this country to PDP. We will be with our candidate all the way to the Ekiti election. Ekiti people, Nigerians, the choice is very clear”, he stated.

Making his acceptance speech after receiving the certificate, Oluyede said he was humbled by the gesture, assuring Ekiti voters that he would turn the state around if elected next year.

“To the people of Ekiti, I will serve with integrity, humility and unwavering dedication”, the candidate pledged.

He paid tributes to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for his dedication to the PDP and especially for strengthening the PDP in Ekiti State.

“Ekiti people want a government that serves them, not one that frustrates them. We want Ekiti to benefit from good governance by improving the quality of education and security”, he promised.

The Turaki-led NWC lined up a series of meetings with stakeholders on Wednesday as part of the rebuilding efforts.

Meetings were held separately with state chairmen, House of Representatives members and ex officio on Wednesday, all aimed at building support ahead of 2027. (Nigerian Tribune)