2023: Vote for PDP, you will not be out of school, jobs, Atiku promises

 

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar says his mission is to rescue Nigeria from ASUU strike, poverty, hunger, insecurity and disunity.

Atiku who made the declaration at the flag-off of his “Rescue Nigeria” Presidential Campaign at the Nest of Champions, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Monday said the PDP in 1999 lifted Nigeria from bottom to the top, making it the biggest economy in Africa.

He, however regretted that the clamour for change in 2015 dragged the country back to poverty, insecurity, lack of jobs and disunity.

In his words “When PDP came to power in 1999, we met Nigeria in a state of poverty, insecurity, hunger, lack of education. We lifted Nigeria from the bottom to the top. We became the biggest economy in Africa, we had peace, we had progress. But when Nigerians said they wanted change, they voted for change in 2015.

“What we have seen is poverty, insecurity, lack of jobs and disunity. Our children are no longer going to school. Is that what we want to continue in?

“So, today, we have inaugurated the flag off of our campaign to rescue Nigeria. To rescue Nigeria from hunger, to rescue Nigeria from poverty, and also bring back the unity that we require in this country.

“I want to appeal to all Nigerians, I am standing in Akwa Ibom today to ask them to vote for PDP. If you vote for PDP, it would be a return to prosperity, it would be a return to unity, it would be a return to your safety. There would be no more hunger, there would be security.

“I swear, If you vote for PDP, you will not be out of school, you will get jobs, there will be security, there will be unity,” he stated.

Atiku who acknowledged the fast pace of development in Akwa Ibom state since 1999 attributed such to consistency with the PDP and therefore dedicated the launching of his campaign to the state.

“Nigeria wants to be like Akwa Ibom. You know why, because since 1999, you have not changed party, but you can see the development that is taking place here in Akwa Ibom. You can see the prosperity that is taking place in Akwa Ibom, you can see the security that is available in Akwa Ibom. So the rest of Nigeria would like to be like Akwa Ibom.

“We want to dedicate the launching of this campaign to the achievements of the Akwa Ibom PDP for good governance.

Speaking, the Vice Presidential Candidate and Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa tasked Nigerians to take seriously the ongoing mission by the PDP to rescue the Nation.

“This campaign is a very serious business. There is a great problem in Nigeria and we have been looking for a rescuer. PDP has offered to rescue Nigeria. We believe that PDP is the only party prepared to rescue Nigeria. We want a nation where people can once again trust each other, we are ready to take the bull by the horn, we are presenting a General” he said

Setting the tone earlier, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman, PDP Presidential Campaign Council challenged Nigerians to rate the present state of the nation against 2015.

Governor Emmanuel who posed series of questions such as; ” are we better off today than in 2015 when PDP handed over power? Do we feel safer on our streets and highways? And who has the capacity and experience to restore Nigeria, declared Atiku/Okowa ticket – a movement to rescue Nigeria.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor and former Presidential Aspirant of the PDP regretted that exchange rate, handed over at N186- $1 has skyrocketed to over N800-$1.

“When we handed over power in 2015, Nigeria had the largest economy in Africa, today, all those indices have been battered. We are therefore on a mission to rescue and restore Nigeria.

“In 2015, Nigerians outside were returning, now everyone is eager to leave Nigeria. This is the first time our students would have to miss an entire academic session.

“Therefore today, we flag off hope, mission to rescue and restore Nigeria, we will take back this country and restore it to lost glory. Today, we flag off the restoration of our economy. We must elect people with strong pedigree in managing business.

“Atiku is the only man with the capacity and experience to unite and rescue Nigeria. Only one party sees the way, knows the way, follow the way and brings result”, he said.

Speaking shortly before handing over the flag of the party to its standard bearer, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Iyorchai Ayu tasked Nigerians to rise en mass and join the party’s mission to rescue Nigeria.

“It is important for those who have not joined the PDP train to come on board. We know the problem of Nigerians. Nigerians are not interested in our individual problems. Nigerians are hungry and suffering from all kinds of illnesses. Nigerians cannot sleep in peace because of insecurity.

“Let us all join hands together because we have the solutions. We will restore the economy of Nigeria to its glory. You have already witnessed from all our governors. All our PDP governors have done well and we want all these people to join hands with our incoming president to redeem Nigeria. Nigerian s, PDP would not disappoint you,” he assured

On his part, the Director General, PDP Presidential Campaign Management Committee, Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal said the Atiku and Okowa ticket has demonstrated respect and recognition for the nation’s diversity and need for equality.

“Today is a very historic day in the history of Nigeria and our democracy as we present to Nigeria the most competent of those running for the President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar.

“Our party is presenting hope. These two great Nigerians are moving the party forward. These two Nigerians will move the country forward. We have a balanced ticket that can deliver Nigeria from its current situation. I call on Nigerians to vote this team that would rescue Nigeria,” he stated.