Not fewer than five governors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Monday boycotted the campaign launch of their presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom state capital.
The five governors are Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state.
Also, the national vice-chairman of the party in the South-South, Dan Orbih was conspicuously absent during the event that attracted all party stakeholders.
The Wike-led group within the party had last month pulled out of the PDP presidential campaign council.
They vowed not to play any role in Atiku’s campaign ahead of the 2023 general elections, insisting the national chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, must resign for a southerner to replace him for equity and justice if they must rescind their decision.
Atiku, Ayu speak
Speaking at the colourful rally, the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku pledged that when elected they will reverse the ugly trend under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
Atiku, who reaffirmed his commitment to rescuing Nigeria from the bad leadership of the APC, recalled that during the time PDP held sway, the country was better positioned in all areas of national life than what currently obtains.
He said: “The APC has failed this country in all areas including security, economy, and education among others.
“During the time when the PDP was in power, Nigerians knew relative stability in our economy and the issue of insecurity was not terrible like we have it today.
“That is why we are campaigning to rescue this country from the bad leadership that the APC has taken us to. We must rescue Nigeria because it is obvious that we cannot afford another opportunity for the APC to take us further in the tracks that they have set.
“We must return the PDP during the elections because the PDP is the only political party with a proven track record and capability to reverse the ugly trend that the APC has set.
“The most important job before the next president of this country will be to unify the country and none of the other candidates in this election can make a claim of doing that better than me and the principles of inclusion that the PDP stands for.”
In his remarks, the party’s national chair, Senator Ayu, said the PDP shall be entering this campaign as one entity.
“The train of the PDP has moved and while the train has left the station, we will be ready to stop the train to take in new people who, for one reason or another, are not here with us today, Ayu added.
He further said: “We are moving slowly so that those who are yet on board will join us on the train. It is important for us as leaders, Nigeria is not interested in our personal quarrels, Nigeria is waiting for us to come and rescue them from what is worrying them.
“Nigerians are hungry, Nigerians are suffering from all sorts of sickness, Nigerians cannot move from one point to another without worries, Nigerians cannot sleep because of insecurity.
“Nigerians are getting more and more divided, Nigerians are complaining and are hoping that what we did for them in the last 16 years we will come back and do it for them again. Let us all join hands together because we have the solution. Already we have pen down the Covenant with Nigerians, we will restore the economy to its glory.”
With the PDP is charge, Ayu said Nigerians will be happy and “all young people will get jobs, the economy will grow there will be more industries, every PDP governor has performed well, therefore, when we get to power from State Houses of Assembly to the state governors, the National Assembly we need all of them to support our president who is coming to power next year to redeem Nigerians. PDP will not disappoint you.”
Tambuwal, Udom
Earlier in his speech, Director General PDP National Campaign Management Committee (NCMC) and Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal urged Nigerians to vote Atiku.
Tambuwal who described the APC presidential ticket as a plot to plant a seed of discord in this country, appealed to Nigerians to reject the ruling party.
“PDP is presenting the most competent of all the people that are running for the presidency of this country as of today which is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,” Tambuwal added.
The governor further said: “I believe the other party (apparently referring to the APC) and their candidature is not only against the federal character but against the constitution of Nigeria because it doesn’t reflect the federal character of Nigeria.
“From day one they are planning to plant a seed of discord in this country and we must not allow that to happen. We have a balanced ticket, we have a ticket that can rescue Nigeria through its current situation and I appealed to all of you men and women of goodwill to join on this train of Atiku/ Okowa to Rescue, Reset and Restore Nigeria.”
On his part, Chairman PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and Akwa Ibom state Governor Udom Emmanuel said Nigerians must elect people with the capacity to govern.
He stated: “I want to promise Nigerians that the only party that can do it for Nigeria is the PDP. We must elect people that have the capacity for delivery. If you cannot manage a kiosk, you will not be able to manage a multinational company.
“If the PDP has not given other party opportunity, Nigerians would not have known that any other party outside PDP will sink the ship of our economy, will rubbish our currency, will destroy our education system and will not have anything to offer in our society.
“Today, I am happy Nigerians have seen the difference, we use to have a company which use to say the difference is clear. The PDP will bring Nigeria back to its lost glory. This is the time, let us join hands to rescue Nigeria, join hands to move Nigeria in the right direction and that direction can come if Nigerians vote for the PDP in 2023.
“You can compare and contrast the economy under the PDP and the economy under the other party, you need the party that will show us the way and that party is the PDP.
“We must elect people who have the capacity to manage successful businesses. If you cannot manage a kiosk, you cannot manage the economy.
“As we flag off our campaign, we want to tell Nigerians that the plane to a successful nation is taking off today. Today, we are flagging off hope and the mission to rescue Nigeria.
“We call on Nigerians to support all our candidates from the Presidency to Houses of Assembly. The people of Akwa Ibom in one voice will join other Nigerians to move our country forward”.