We have a unifier in Atiku. PDP is the only party ready to take over power. No other party has constituted a campaign team talk less of starting a campaign
Drizzles of rain cascaded gently from the sky as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stepped on the podium to deliver his address at the flag off of his campaign in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state Monday afternoon.
Before delivering his address the former Vice President Atiku and his vice presidential candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa were formally given flags of the party to signal their endorsement as topmost candidates in the forthcoming 2023 elections.
A while earlier than that moment, the Director General of his campaign team, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state had fortuitously described the day and event as a great one that is is also historic for democracy.
The 30,000 seats ‘nest of champions’ stadium in the state capital was agog and bristling with spectacular displays, song and ululations by groups of party supporters who have been waiting for hours as the motorcade of Atiku drove in.
Gov. Tambuwal urged Nigerians to join the party and candidates in the mission to salvage the country., assuring that the party and the campaign team “present the most competent of all those that are running for the post of President in the country.”
He said both Atiku’s and Okowa “have character, capacity and competence to rescue Nigeria, observing that “the other party’s ethos is against the constitution of Nigeria. From day one they have been trying to sow the seed of discord in the country.”
The National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, whose remarks was preceded by a one minute silence in memory and prayer for the departed soul of Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, one of his predecessors, who passed away hours before the event began, sought the cooperation of all Nigerians to support Atiku to become President.
“Thank you for coming out in large numbers. The PDP train has started moving. It is moving slowly to allow others not onboard to come. We know the problems worrying Nigerians. Nigerians are not interested in our personal quarrels. Nigerians are hungry, ill, divided, can’t sleep because of insecurity and are waiting for PDP to rescue them.”
He promised that the party will provide employment to Nigerians and revive the economy once it is voted into power.
The party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who said the day was ‘
a ‘remarkable’ one, posited that “ the PDP is the party to beat.”
“We have a unifier in Atiku. PDP is the only party ready to take over power. No other party has constituted a campaign team talk less of starting a campaign. There is vacancy in the Presidential Villa that would soon be filled by our candidates: Atiku and Okowa,” the ex-Senate President added.
In his speech, Gov. Okowa, while expressing gratitude to the people and government of Akwa Ibom state for their hospitality, noted that the campaign “is a serious business.”
“There is a serious problem in the country. It is war as everything has gone bad. PDP is presenting a General to prosecute that war.
“He is tested and cannot allow lieutenants to run the affairs of the country when voted into office. PDP is the only Party that can rescue the nation. Our candidate wants a united country where all can trust themselves. Atiku wants to serve the country and is willing to take the bull by the horn and work to stop insecurity,” Okowa said.
He also emphasized that in demonstration of his grasp of the problems of the country, having been a Vice President, he “recognizes that states and local governments should be strong,” a reason why he is routing for state police,” an agenda that is a recipe for peace.
The host of the event, who is also the Chairman of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization (APCO), Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state, said the candidate ”has capacity, experience and is capable of rescuing Nigeria.”
“The campaign,” according him, “to restore the glory of Nigeria begins today as Nigerians are worse off than they were in 2015. The citizens are poor and insecure forex rates gets high and the indices of oil price is worrisome.”
He insists that “Atiku is the one to rescue the country,” urging all Nigerians to join the race and checkmate the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that have bastardized the country “where students and professionals are eager to leave.”
He promised that the party has a plan to bring the country out of the woods by harnessing the potential of citizens that have diverse skills yet untapped.
Speaking on behalf of the PDP-Governors Forum, Taraba state Governor, Architect Darius Ishaku
thanked the teeming youth that thronged the venue for supporting all PDP leaders across the country.
He affirmed further commitment of the PDP and its Governors to reunification of the country, development of education and good governance, assuring that once the PDP comes to power the nation’s fortune will be turned around quickly within four years
Speaker after speaker at the occasion: youth, women, forum of state chairmen and the National Assembly Caucus, who delivered goodwill messages also lamented the state of the nation and reasserted their pledge to support the presidential candidate.
The event was attended by former Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo, Chairman of the BoT of the party, Adolphus Wabara and three of his successors as Senate President: Anyim Pius Anyim ,
Bukola Saraki and David Mark. Former National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus was there too along with members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and members of the National Assembly.
Also at the occasion were the Governors of, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, and Edo. Former Governors of Bauchi, Imo, Katsina, Sokoto: Alhaji Adamu Muazu, Emeka Ihedioha, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu Shema and Attahiru Bafarawa also attended the event.
Gubernatorial candidates of the party from across states of the federation, including Sokoto came in their numbers with Mal. Saidu Umar, the Sokoto state PDP gubernatorial candidate, his Deputy, Hon. Sagir Bafarawa, Sokoto state party Chairman, Alhaji Bello Muhammad and former minister of power, Engineer Bello Suleiman.