The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has decried the engagement of a foreign firm – AKPD Message and Media – by the All Progressive Congress, APC, to boost its electoral chances in the 2015, saying it was not in the best interest of Nigerians.
National publicity secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, said in a statement on Wednesday that the action by the opposition party was an affront to nationalism and a weird embrace of neo-colonialism at a time when national pride and assertiveness had assumed a rule of engagement in global politics.
The PDP also expressed fear that the APC could use a foreign firm to reverse the pro-national socio-economic foundation laid by Nigeria’s founding fathers and urged Nigerians to resist the attempt which could throw the nation back to imperialism, 54 years after independence.
“In engaging the services of a foreign firm, the APC has shown that it does not have faith in our people, our indigenous consultancy firms and the world acclaimed Nigerian professionals,” Metuh said.
The APC had on Monday announced that it had engaged the services of the U.S. public relations firm to work for it towards the 2015 general elections.
According to a statement issued by the party’s interim national publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed, the firm has also worked with key Democratic party candidates throughout the U.S. and has a strong reputation for supporting leading populist movements across the globe.
“The APC is proud and excited to work with one of the foremost exponents of change in the world, especially with their track record of success in political climates akin to ours, notably in Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana. With this strategic partnership, the process of change in Nigeria has already begun and it can’t be stopped,” Mohammed said
The U.S.-based firm is best known for its lead role in President Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012.