The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, wrapped up its presidential campaign with a grand finale in Yola the Adamawa state capital, the home state of its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, where thousands of supporters thronged Ribadu square to show support for one of their own.
Addressing the crowd, Atiku Abubakar said he will keep his campaign promises by not disappointing them if they give the PDP and him the mandate to be Nigeria’s next president and form a government. He promised to devolve powers to states and local governments with corresponding resources, unite the country, restore peace, ensure a buoyant economy, and provide citizens with the best education.
“These are the five key points the PDP has promised to deliver, therefore, I want to reiterate the commitment to those key points. Adamawa State you know this is an abundant opportunity for you if you elect PDP to the presidency, if you elect PDP to continue to govern the state. I don’t have to tell you what I can do for Adamawa, you know this, and Nigeria in general. You know me, I live by my words and commitment. I want to appeal to you to vote for the PDP from top to bottom don’t be misled by any propaganda by anybody” he said.
Atiku said the future of Adamawa state and Nigeria resides in the hands of the PDP. “I want to appeal to you to vote for the PDP because I know you have never failed us. My citizens of Adamawa State, I can’t thank you enough but don’t forget that Nigerians have been very kind to you, they elected me in 2019 to lead this party and again they have not been disappointed they elected me again this time. I appeal to you not to disappoint Nigerians for the favour they have done to you. I want to appeal to you from today to go all out to your local governments to your wards, to your units, to your households and encourage people to vote. Let us record the highest votes ever.”
The former Vice President of Nigeria expressed appreciation to the people of Adamawa state and all Nigerians for turning out en mass at all the campaign venues to show support and solidarity promising to keep his word and fulfil pronouncements made at all the campaign rallies if given the mandate to be president.
Right man for the job
Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, southern Nigeria said help is on the way with Atiku Abubakar as president.
He said Atiku will resolve the numerous challenges facing the country in education, health, business, and agriculture and fix critical infrastructure
“All we need to do is to take our PVC, get it ready for Saturday, mobilize yourself, those in the communities, towns, your friends, fathers, mothers and on the election day, come out en-masse and cast your votes and you are sure that your future is secured”.
Okowa said if elected into the office of president, Atiku Abubakar will hit the ground running from day one to build a stable future for all citizens. “The future will be good for you and me. To the youths, the only man in the race, that can secure the future of our youths is Atiku Abubakar, do not mind those that are lying to you. Atiku Abubakar has been tested and we know that he has the capacity, and experience to lead us”.
He said he considered himself fortunate to be the running mate to a man capable of delivering on his covenant with Nigerians, a man with the experience, capacity, knowledge, and skills to unite, secure and return the country to economic prosperity.
“The crowd here is wonderful, but talk to those at home that help is on the way and that help is Atiku Abubakar, so please come out and vote for him and by the Grace of God, the election will be won”.
An experienced candidate
The National Chairman of the PDP Iyorchia Ayu said since they began campaigning all over the country, the acceptance of Atiku Abubakar to be Nigeria’s next president has been massive.
“The first time that Nigeria was in trouble, it is this party that we formed, me and Atiku Abubakar in 1998, that rescued Nigeria between 1999 and 2015. For 15 years we rebuilt this country and I played a key role. Today, Nigerians have again called on me to rebuild this party the last year and produce the next President who will restore confidence and hope for the Nigerian people. We are determined to bring hope, to bring peace, to bring development”.
Ayu said the PDP has brought a candidate with experience, a team player, who will work for Nigeria.
“Adamawa state is one state that has more than 1,000 ethnic groups, the largest in the country. Some are Christians, some are Muslims and yet you have managed to live together. Adamawa has something to teach the rest of Nigeria. We must learn to live together as one people under one roof and work out policies that will develop our people. Atiku Abubakar who is a product of Adamawa state will reunify this country. When he comes you will find out that all these divisions between North and South, between Christians and Muslims, will be a thing of the past”.
He echoed the words of all speakers at the campaign rally for supporters to come out in large numbers to vote for their son as this is the best opportunity for Adamawa state to produce the next President of Nigeria.
Major stakeholders of the PDP from across Adamawa state and beyond such as Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state who is seeking reelection, were on hand to show support and galvanize supporters towards working harder in the last days of the campaign to garner votes for Atiku Abubakar and the PDP to form the next government at the federal and state levels.
Adamawa is the last state for the PDP’s presidential campaign, the party was unable to campaign in Rivers state southern Nigeria as the differences between the national hierarchy of the party and Governor Nyesom Wike is yet to be resolved with just a few days to Nigeria’s presidential election. The presidential candidate and the party will now revert to private, individual and smaller group consultations to win over and convince more eligible voters to cast their ballots for the PDP on February 25 presidential ad national assembly election and March 11 for the governorship and state assembly election.
Emmanuel Ukoh
