The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has solicited the support of Nigerians in the 2023 general election even as five aggrieved governors of the party refused to attend the campaign flag-off in Akwa Ibom state.
The governors who failed to show up at the campaign ground held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital on Monday include Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Uguwanyi (Ebonyi) Okozie Ikpeazu, (Abia) and Samuel Orthom (Benue).
But speaking during the campaign flag-off at Godswill Akpabio International stadium Uyo, the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar urged Nigerians to return to the foundation of unity handed out to them by PDP since 1999.
He regretted that the foundation which PDP laid for Nigeria was disrupted when Nigerians voted for a change in 2015.
” In 2015, we voted for change which resulted in poverty, hunger, unemployment and a poor economy.
” Today we have inaugurated our campaign to rescue Nigeria from poverty, hunger and bring back unity to our country.
” We ask you to vote for PDP and return Nigeria to safety, unity, for security and economic development. I swear if you vote PDP it would mean returning to a better Nigeria”
Addressing the mammoth crowd of party supporters, the PDP National Chairman Dr Iyorcha Ayu said PDP knows Nigeria’s problems and such difficulty will not be surmounted by empty rhetorics and long speeches.
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” Nigerians are not interested in our quarrel but they are yearning for solutions to their problems such as hunger, sickness, insecurity and division. Let us join hands together because we have the solution.
“We would restore the economy by building more industries. Every PDP governor has performed well. When we take over power, we would need all National and states Assembly members and governors to join the President to build our nation. ”
The chairman of PDP campaign council and Governor of Akwa Ibom state Udom Emmanuel recalled that when PDP handed over in 2015, exchange rate was N186 to a dollar but now it has escalated to over N800 to one dollar.
He said the party floated the highest economy in West Africa adding that flagging off of the campaign was a beginning of a journey to restore Nigeria.
” Today as we flag – off this campaign, we are telling Nigerians we would restore our economy. We promise Nigerians that as we flag off this campaign, we are going to restore Nigeria. We are taking Nigeria to where we were yesterday and even surpassed it ” he said
Goodwill messages were received from supporters such as PDP State Governors, party chieftains and others.
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