Former Vice President, Atiku Abubarkar, has appealed to members of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) not to allow any intra-party disagreement to deny them the opportunity of being a better alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in the forthcoming elections.
While addressing the Oyo State delegates of the PDP at the party Secretariat, Molete, Ibadan, on Saturday, Atiku reiterated his commitment to restoring what he described as glorious economic days of the country, if given the opportunity of running the party ticket in the 2023 Presidential Election.
He commended the synergy between Governor Seyi Makinde-led government and the leaders of the party for working harmoniously in a way that has been transforming the state in the interest of the people.
Atiku stated: “I want to commend the party leaders for giving the governor the support to deliver on the responsibility given to him by the people of the state. When we are given position of authority, we must be able to discharge the responsibility entrusted to our care. I commend the governor and the party in Oyo State for working together to discharge the onerous task given to him by the people of the state.”
The Turakin of Adamawa, who was accompanied on the trip by High Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Senator Dino Melaye, among others, said the country had never been as disunited and divided as it is presently, promising to give every faith, tribe and group a sense of belonging if he eventually wins the election come 2023.
Promise
The former VP noted: “Here today, we have been disunited even in faith because some faith are more preferred than others. This has caused a very wide margin between us and also mistrust between our people. I promise to give every part of this country, every ethnicity, and every religion a sense of belonging if you give me your trust. I also promise to tackle insecurity. Today most part of this country are insecure and the government is unable to cope with the situation.”
He emphasised that when the PDP ruled the country from 1999 to 2015, it did an excellent job of restoring security, giving confidence to every part of the country, improving the economy, and developing every part of the country, however decrying the ruling APC for not doing enough and pulling the country down into poverty.
Atiku asserted that Nigeria had degenerated into becoming the poorest country in the world because its rate of poverty is the highest in the world. It has become the most insecure and the most disunited country in the world and called on PDP members to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the party, saying Nigerians cannot wait to have a change, just as the party requires unity.
He said: “Yes, we have our disagreements but we should be able to address our disagreements in our way so that we will be able to present a very good alternative to the people of this country. So, members of our great party, I urge you to make sure that no disagreement was taken out of context to the extent that members of the public will not see us as alternative to the APC.”
Constitutional reform
Atiku stressed that one fundamental thing he had always preached, even when he was the vice president, is that Nigeria requires constitutional reform to devolve more powers and resources to other components of the country from the states and local government areas.
On his part, the Chairman of the PDP in Oyo State, Dayo Ogungbenro, welcomed Atiku and his team on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, while he called on all presidential aspirants of the party to come together and present a formidable consensus candidate for the party ahead of the general elections.
Olusola Akintonde