By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
The People’s Democratic Party Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar says if elected he will transform the country to a more developed nation with full opportunities for citizens to thrive economically.
Abubakar said he would inject $10million to fighting poverty in Sokoto state through responsive empowerment scheme for women, traders and youths.
Abubakar spoke Tuesday in Sokoto while addressing the party’s teeming supporters who converged on Giginya township stadium venue of the presidential campaign rally.
Stalwarts at the rally included: former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Governors Godwin Obaseki, Edo; Darius Ishaku, Taraba and Duoye Diri of Bayelsa states.
Also were Uche Secondus, Liyel Imoke , Kawu Baraje and former governors Adamu Aliero and Boni Haruna as well former Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara among many other key stakeholders.
He noted that Sokoto people had in recent time lost their peace to insecurity occasioned by banditry, a situation he assured would be reversed if elected .
” We will improve on the policy by recruiting more troops and provision of more arms in addition to encouraging state police to tackle insecurity which has put fears in an average Nigerian and Sokoto person of today.”
The presidential candidate who placed his policy drive on 5-points priorities which include construction of Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua-Zaria road, reopening of borders, proving security by approving state police, food security noted that Nigeria needed massive development drive that would propel human oriented agenda for prosperity .
According to the candidate ” we will evolve a sustained mechanism for soft loans to famers for mass production of food and ensure food security.
” The reopening of our land borders is key to stimulating the nation’s economy through sustained trade relations with neighbouring countries as window for our businessmen and women to engage in legitimate international business activities for development.
He however pointed out that , Nigeria’s development trajectory was all encompassing across,education, health, agriculture, trade and investment among key driving forces for good governance which PDP stood for.
He urged people of the state to sustain the tempo of wooing more support for the party ahead of the upcoming elections when their votes would count for the party across all levels.
The presidential candidate had earlier in the day , held meetings with Ulamas and other stakeholders as he simultaneously paid courtesy call on Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar as well inaugurated the Abdullahi Fodiyo road flyover at Dandima.
The Chairman PDP PCC and Akwa Ibom state Governor Udom Emmanuel said Atiku has convincing pedigree as a competent , resilient and purposeful political leader and d over that can turn Nigeria’s fortunes .
The governor described the former Vice President as one who knows Nigeria and can do better than others.
” Atiku knows the way, the people and their aspirations better with the capacity and competence to deliver for the benefit of the average Nigerian. He has the solutions to the myraid of Nigeria’s challenges”
Former governor Attahiru Bafarawa said Atiku Abubakar was the best choice for Sokoto people, the North and Nigerian in dire need of practical progress.
” Atiku is a path finder who should be given the support to move the country to its destination of peace, unity and socio economic transformation. He is a dependable political driver and leader for development.”
Bafarawa who further expressed conviction that the PDP presidential candidate would be a listening leader of elected , urged electorates in the state to deny opposition APC their votes by voting Atiku.
” I am optimistic that APC will not score more than 5% of Sokoto votes. The meagre 5% will represent alms to them”, he boasted.
The party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu who presented the Sokoto state guber standard bearer with the party’s flag, Sa’idu Umar and also received with the presentation of umbrella to the immediate past Nigeria’s Ambassador to Jordan, Farouk Malami Yabo into the PDP after quiting APC said he was impressed and overwhelmed by the turnout of supporters and followers of the party in the state.
He described Atiku as a true transformer who has the experience and patriotic mind to work for the country for development.
The Vice Presidential candidate and Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa said the PDP presidential candidate remain a political rallying point with readiness, capability and qualities to deliver the country for posterity.
Speaking, the Director General Governor, PDP PCC, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who expressed gratitude to God and appreciated the resilience and untiring support to the party by Sokoto people urged the to massively vote for Atiku.
He said Atiku remain the most experienced, tested and trusted with the right qualities ,character and capacity to lead the country out of the troubled waters of backwardness.
He assured of Atiku’s readiness and commitment to all promises to Sokoto people and Nigerians.
Tambuwal who also noted the turnout of supporters said it was a show of love and trust for PDP.
” The issue of insecurity in Sokoto state and Nigeria will be over and opportunities for positive impact will abound to Nigerians”, he stressed .
Other speakers who spoke and urged Sokoto people and Nigerians to have confidence in the party by voting its candidates across all levels included former Senate President Bukola Saraki ,former governor Adamu Mu’azu, Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Philip Aduda and Sokoto state PDP chairman , Bello Aliyu Goronyo.
They noted that Atiku was the most competent and coordinated candidate in the row of contestants.
They called for fervent prayers for the party’s presidential candidate to emerge victorious and better leader than his predecessors for Nigerians to reap benefits.
Meanwhile, the party had Monday night raised over N747 million for the Sokoto state PDP chapter at a fund raising dinner towards its victory in the state.
The highest donation of N62 million came from the chief launcher , Alhaji Mukhtari Maigona and governor Duoye Diri who gave N50 million.
Other top donors were Bukola Saraki , N25 million and Yakubu Dogara who donated N5 million among others.
