By SAM ADZEGE, Abuja-
The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has excoriated the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) for presiding over the almost total destruction of Nigeria.
Alhaji Atiku regretted that, under the watch of the APC, Nigeria has witnessed all round deterioration and disarray, emphasizing that the nation is today more disunited than even during the civil war, even as the educational system is comatose, while its security make up is at its lowest ebb.
The Presidential candidate, however, encouraged Nigerians not to despair as his blueprint has mapped out strategies to tackle the problems that are threatening to destroy the nation.
He made the call on Wednesday as the party officially inaugurated its 600-member Presidential Campaign Council in a colourful ceremony which attracted thousands of its supporters from across Nigeria to the International Conference Centre Abuja venue of the occasion.
The ceremony which was attended by most of the party bigwigs, was preceded by the public presentation of four books on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the Presidential candidate of the party.
Notably absent, however, was National Chairman Iorchia Ayu, who was represented by the acting Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Umar Damagun.
Also, Rivers State Governor Nyesome Wike, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and other members of Wike’s group which has been at logger heads the party’s candidate and Atiku, were however absent in what appeared to be a deliberate act to avoid any embarrassing episodes that may ensue at the occasion.
Their absences notwithstanding, the well organized event was beautifully handled. It featured several side attractions including short documentaries on the life of the PDP flag bearer, live dance dramas and several musical interludes.
The book launch was chaired by Arch. Namadi Sambo, Nigeria’s former Vice President and Chairman of the book launch.
Atiku’s Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, in the occasion challenged all other candidates contesting the 2023 to present their manifestoes to Nigerians like Atiku whose manifesto, “My Covenant with Nigeria” is a road map to resolving the teething problems currently confronting the country.
Okowa said Atiku has all qualities to cure the country of its ills, emphasizing that the country deserves someone with his experience to cure it of its sickness.
“Nigeria of today cannot afford a President who has no experience”, he stressed.
Okowa added that having traversed the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria during extensive consultations, he remained fully convinced that PDP is the only party with massive presence in all the six zones.
In his address, Mohammed Damagun, who stood in for Ayu, told the audience that members of the Campaign Council were carefully chosen for their commitment as well of wealth of experience.
Governor Emmanuel Udom, who was immediately handed the list of the 600, thanked leaders of the party for the confidence reposed in them. He expressed confidence that the team would deliver on its mandate, assuring that the team was campaigning to win. He however charged everyone to be ready to work for victory.
“There will be no more sitting back in Abuja”, he said as he emphasized that all members must go back to the gassroots to ensure electoral victory for the party.”
Waziri Tambuwal, Sokoto Governor and Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, assured the gathering that the President Campaign team will hit the ground running.
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