*
Gov Wike, 4 Others absent
By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike and four other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors in Nigeria were absent at the party’s Presidential Campaign flag-off in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Monday.
Other governors not present included, Abia – Okezie Ikpeazu, Benue – Samuel Ortom, Enugu – Ifeanyi Uawuanyi and Oyo – Seyi Mikinde.
Their absence at the flagging-off event may not be unconnected with the unresolved internal conflict in the party, an aftermath of its presidential primaries in Abuja where some faithful were aggrieved.
Meanwhile, the party’s presidential flagbearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has promised to unite Nigeria, fight insecurity and restore hope through poverty reduction if voted into power in 2023.
Alhaji Abubakar, whose presidential slogan is “Rescue Nigeria” said, PDP would rescue Nigeria from its myriad of problems and restore unity to the country.
Speaking during the flag off of his Presidential campaign at the Nest of Champions, Atiku called on Nigerians to vote for him and the party during the 2023 elections, saying PDP has entered into covenant with Nigerians to rescue the country from “bad leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) government”
Dedicating the launch of the campaigns to the achievements of the Akwa Ibom State PDP-led government, the Presidential Candidate said the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration brought change as they promised, in a negative way.
“Nigeria wants to be like Akwa Ibom State. 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. 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 Nigeria 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.
Also speaking, the Vice Presidential Candidate and Governor of Delta State Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa who said he was impressed at the crowd of supporters, urged Nigerians to take the ongoing mission by the PDP to rescue the country seriously.
Okowa said the problem of Nigeria has been looking for a rescuer, saying the PDP has offered to rescue the Country, saying the party was prepared to make Nigeria a nation where people can trust each other.
“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,” Okowa said.
While speaking, Chairman of PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel said the PDP will restore hope and faith in the common dreams of the people.
Emmanuel who said the APC party has caused the country problems, as poverty has reached misery indices, called on Nigerias to checkmate hardship caused by the APC led government.
“The campaigns to restore Nigeria, revitalise the gains and growth of our prosperity, even the parts of our unity that has been fractured, restore hope and faith in our common dreams and aspirations begins today.
“Poverty today has gotten to misery indices. When PDP handed over power, the exchange rate was N186 to a dollar. Today, the exchange rate is almost N800 to a dollar. When PDP handed over power, Nigeria had the largest economy in the entire Africa, today, all those indices have been battered.
“Today, we want to flag off the hope for Nigeria, we want to flag off the rescue mission to Nigeria, we want to flag off the restoration mood to Nigeria. We want to tell Nigerians, the ship is beginning to sail today, we want to tell Nigerians, the train is moving today.
On his part, the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu lauded the people for the support, saying the crowd showed that the PDP train was more than a party.
“It is important that 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 illness. 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. Nigerians, PDP would not disappoint you,” he stated.
Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Mr. Adolphus Wagbara who spoke on behalf of other members said, “Today is a remarkable day. The entire Nigerians are here. Our Presidential Candidate and his Vice are the persons to beat. PDP is the only party in today’s Nigeria that is ready to take over power.
“We will have success and there is no doubt about it. We used to say there is no vacancy in Aso Villa, today there is vacancy, and the only two persons that would occupy it are our presidential candidate and his vice,” he stated.
On his part, the Director General, PDP Presidential Campaign Management Committee, Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal said the duo of Atiku and Okowa would rescue Nigeria from its problems.
“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.
Also speaking, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba state who spoke on behalf of the Governors of PDP said Atiku and Okowa were two outstanding Nigerians that would reset the country for the good of the youth.
“We assure you that once the team of PDP comes to power, we would change the narratives. You can move freely in Nigeria and there is no more harassment,” he said
Highlights at the event include the presentation of PDP Presidential flag to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar by the National Chairman of PDP, Mr. Iyorchia Ayu
