11 February 2015 - Upon the invitation of the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Alex V. Lamadrid attended the forum and official presentation of Peoples Democratic Party Manifesto 2015-2019 to the Civil Society, which was held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on February 06.
The PDI, established by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to promote democracy in Nigeria and emerging democracies especially in Africa, as well as to serve as the Party’s intellectual resource center and its policy think tank, organized the event. The PDP has been the ruling party in Nigeria since the re-establishment of a civilian, democratic government in 1999.
PDI Director General Dr. Lanre Adebayo chaired the event. The Deputy Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization Professor Tunde Adeniran, noted professors from various Nigerian universities, and representatives of civil society organizations attended the forum. Tri-media extensively covered the event, with the proceedings being broadcast in the evening of the same day.
In his address, PDI Director General Adebayo expounded on the contents of the PDP Manifesto and the reasons why PDP wants to govern Nigeria for another four years. He characterized the Nigerian situation as one in which there is now a strong political opposition, with a vibrant media and vigilant civil society groups. Among other issues, he tackled the need for partnership of state and non-state actors in rural sector development, and to ensure that the people take the lead in development. Development is recognized as a partnership between the Federal and local governments.
In his intervention, Ambassador Alex Lamadrid commended the PDI for the public presentation of the PDP Manifesto, which contributes to promoting good governance and improving the policy content of the political campaign. He expressed the solidarity of the Philippines with Nigeria as the latter holds its electoral exercise, noting that the two countries share a common adherence to the principles of democratic governance and aspirations for peace and prosperity of their respective peoples. Ambassador Lamadrid also stated that good governance is a sine qua non for a country’s economic prosperity, citing the Philippine experience under the leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III, whose anti-corruption platform has effectively translated into one of the highest economic growth rates in Asia. Ambassador Lamadrid echoed the sentiments of the international community in calling on the Nigerian authorities, political parties and civil society groups to ensure that the forthcoming electoral exercise will be peaceful, free and fair to all.
On the sidelines of the event, Ambassador Lamadrid granted an interview to the media, which was aired on Nigerian television.
Professor Adeniran remarked that the manifesto is a reflection of PDP’s continued trust and belief in the people of Nigeria, being a compendium of the party’s vision and philosophy on governance based on increasing the stake and share of all citizens in the Nigerian journey without discrimination. He reminded the audience that it was the founding fathers of the PDP that fought and liberated the country from the clutches of military dictatorship, which is why in 1999, when PDP sought power as a political party, it premised its manifesto and policy thrust on practical issues that affect the lives of Nigerians and the development of the nation. Professor Adeniran commended the PDP Manifesto as the party’s “instrument and covenant of hope and continuity with the voters and good people of Nigeria.”
Distinguished academicians from the six geographical zones of Nigeria contributed their inputs and comments on the manifesto, particularly as it addresses issues in their respective zones. END