*Nigerians not looking for learner as President, says Okowa
*5 parties collapse structure into PDP for Atiku
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has pledged that he will not disappoint Nigerians if elected the next President of the country.
Atiku’s pledge to Nigerians came even as five registered political have collapsed their structures into the PDP with a promise to support Atiku, fully, in his ambition.
The former Vice President, while speaking on Saturday at the grand finale of the PDP presidential campaign rally in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, promised further that if he and his party, the PDP, are given the mandate on February 25, “we pledge to live by our promises of united country, that we have a peaceful country, that we have a buoyant economy for our country, and we have the best education for our children”.
Similarly, the Vice presidential candidate of the PDP and Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, while speaking at the rally, pointed out that Nigerians are not looking for learners, saying, “We are looking for experience man with capacity, knowledge of Nigeria that can unite us, secure this country and return our economy to the part of growth and the only person among those contesting is Atiku Abubakar”.
The PDP presidential flag bearer, while speaking at the well attended and impressive rally, said, “Today (Saturday) is the final day of our rally all over the country, I want to use this opportunity not only to address the people of Adamawa State but the entire country.
“I want to thank Nigerians in the 36 states of the federation who have come out in the last six months, to show solidarity, to show support to our party and myself.
“Let me promise Nigerians that we shall never disappoint you.
“If you give us your mandate, we promise to live by our promises that we have a united country that we have a peaceful country, that we have a buoyant economy for our country, and we have the best education for our children and also we devolve powers to states and local governments with corresponding resources.
“These are the five key points the PDP has promised to deliver. Therefore, I want to reiterate to the commitment of those key points.
“Adamawa State, you know, this is an abundant opportunity for you if you elect PDP to the presidency, if you elect PDP to continue to govern the state.
“I don’t have to tell you what I can do for Adamawa, you know this and Nigeria in general.
“You know me. I live by my words and commitment. I want to appeal to you to vote for the PDP from top to bottom don’t be misled by any propaganda by anybody.
“This is where the future of our state and country resides in the hands of PDP.
“I want to appeal to you to vote for the PDP because I know you have never failed us.
“My citizens of Adamawa State, I can’t thank you enough but don’t forget that Nigerians have been very kind to you, they elected me in 2019 to lead this party and again they have not disappointed.
“They elected me again this time, I appeal to you not to disappoint Nigerians for the favour they have done to you.
“I want to appeal to you from today go all out to your local governments to your wards, to your units, to your households and encourage people to vote. Let us record the highest votes ever”, he said.
The PDP Vice presidential, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, on his part, said, “I thank you citizens of Adamawa for giving to Nigeria, this wonderful man, the Waziri Adamawa Atiku Abubakar.
“He is somebody who understands Nigeria. A lot of people have spoken about him. We know that Nigerians are in pains, troubled in their hearts, hungry, Students are worried about their education and we know that even small business men are worried that their business will collapse.
“Many of our farmers are worried if they can even produce from their farms because of the insecurity and the fact that they cannot have access to fertilizers because of the high cost.
“Do not worry, help is on the way and that help is Atiku Abubakar. All we need to do is to take our PVC, get it ready for Saturday, mobilize yourself, those in the communities, towns, your friends, fathers, mothers and on the election day, come out en masse and cast your votes and you are sure that your future is secured”, he said.
Continuing, Okowa said, “We are not looking for learners. We are looking for experience men with capacity, knowledge of Nigeria that can unite us, secure this country and return our economy to the part of growth and the only person among those contesting is Atiku Abubakar”.
The National Chairman of PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, while addressing the rally, said, “The journey started about six months ago and we have travelled all over Nigeria. Everywhere we have gone, is tremendous acceptance not only for our party but also for our candidate whom everybody North, South, East,West has accepted to be the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I want to say that I am a very happy Nigerian. I am one of the luckiest Nigerians because this is the second time that PDP will come back to rescue Nigeria.
“The first time that Nigeria was in trouble, it is this party that we formed, which myself and Atiku Abubakar in 1998, that rescued Nigeria between 1999 and 2015. For 15 years we rebuilt this country and I played a key role. “Today, Nigerians have again called on me to rebuild this party in the last one year and produce the next President who will restore confidence and hope for the Nigerian people.
“I am happy to say that Nigerians have accepted our message that APC is not a political party and it’s alliance is collapsing. The APC alliance has collapsed and that is why they are fighting among themselves and even in their policies, they don’t know what to do in Nigeria.
“They have brought poverty to Nigerians in the next eight years and today, it is their policy of redesigning the naira and our people are suffering.
“We are determined to bring hope, to bring peace, to bring development. We have brought a candidate who is experienced, who is a team player,who will work with us to bring back Nigeria”, he said.
At the rally, five political parties collapsed their structures into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and threw their weight behind the party’s flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar.
The five parties are; the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking on behalf of the other national chairmen of the political parties, the National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantele said the parties arrived at the decision to adopt the PDP presidential torch bearer because he is the right man for the job.
He, however, said the parties will participate in the governorship, national and state assemblies elections.
The PDP also received decampees from various political parties including some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council.
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