The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa and chieftains of the party, on Wednesday, rallied eligible voters in Osun state.
The rally was held in readiness for Nigeria’s presidential election slated for Saturday, February 25, 2023.
Thousands of PDP members in the state and supporters of the Atiku-Okowa ticket had converged on the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo as early as 8am to witness the event.
Atiku Abubakar, who is currently touring Nigeria’s southwest states in continuation of his presidential campaign, said he was in the state to thank the people and to seek their votes in 2023.
He said: “I have come to thank you for what you have done in 2022 guber election, you are wonderful people for returning PDP to power in the last state election; and I believe by returning PDP into power at Federal level, you will strengthen this authority because a federal government controlled by PDP and state government controlled by PDP in Osun is to the greater good of you all.”
The former Vice President of Nigeria, who used the opportunity to highlight some of his programmes, said inclusiveness would be central to his government.
He said that he would hit the ground running by taking steps to tackle the challenges confronting the nation, hinging the main policy thrust of his administration on restructuring.
His words: “Our only objective is to make sure that the current challenges of insecurity, disunity, economic deprivation, lack of jobs for our youths and the future of this country through restructuring can be achieved; these I promise you. I am going to start doing them from day one in office.
“It means empowering Osun state with more resources in authority to do what needs to be done, what needs to be done is to provide the infrastructure needed for development, investing in education, healthcare and bring about industrialization for the economic benefit of the people of Osun, “he stated.
The former VP also said he had the experience and capacity to lead the country and effect the necessary changes that would put Nigeria back on the path of progress.
He assured the crowd of supporters that his government would not fail Nigerians and urged all residents of Osun state to vote massively for him in 2023.
“I appeal to you to come out in great numbers like you did in the last state election and vote PDP in the next year election. That is the only way you can secure your future and that of your children.
“We will not fail you, we are not like APC, we have done it before, we got the experience and capacity to bring the needed changes. We are not new as far as governance is concerned in Nigeria,” he said.
The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, also highlighted Atiku’s competence to lead Nigeria, adding that his experience would come in handy.
“The experience of the PDP presidential candidate is enormous; when he served the country as Vice President, he was the one that stabilised the economy, he made it to grow, we need someone like him to steer the affairs of the country.
“When elected, Nigeria will grow from strength to strength. The emergence of Atiku will unsettle evil in this country because he has the fear of God. He will govern Nigeria with rule of law and due process,” Adeleke assured.
The National Chairman of PDP, Senator Iyiorcha Ayu, said of all the candidates jostling to be Nigeria’s president in 2023, only his party candidate has the experience, will and ability to put Nigeria back on track.
Other speakers at the rally included Atiku’s running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, Atiku’s wife, Titi Abubakar, former President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki and Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state among others.
Lateefah Ibrahim
