I’m stepping stone to Igbo presidency, says Atiku Abubakar
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, took their campaign to Anambra State on Thursday.
The PDP Presidential candidate, who arrived in Ekwueme Square, Awka, at approximately 2:10 p.m., met and held a closed-door meeting with the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.
Atiku then traveled to the Government House in Awka to meet with the state’s traditional rulers, led by the Obi of Onitsha and the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Alfred Achebe.
If elected president in the country’s presidential election on February 25, 2023, Atiku pledged to unify Nigeria and combat insecurity and unemployment.
The former vice president was accompanied by his running mate, Okowa, the governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, and other candidates and PDP leaders, including the party chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
The gathering was also utilized to promote the party’s candidates for Senate, House of Representatives, and state Assembly.
While speaking to his supporters, Atiku pledged to unite Nigerians by treating each zone fairly and ensuring everyone’s safety.
In addition, he pledged to dredge the River Niger and transform Onitsha into a functional seaport.
Without security, peace, and unity, there would be no progress in the country, according to him.
“My vision and mission as the president is to unite Nigeria, bring peace and provide adequate security for the people of Nigeria.
“I am the stepping stone to an Igbo presidency, vote for me and you will not regret doing so, I promise not to disappoint you.
“I will give every section its due right. Thank you for this wonderful reception, I never thought I would get such a reception in Anambra State,” he said.
Earlier, the chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers, Igwe Alfred Achebe, stated that the monarchs were apolitical and would support whoever won, adding that the monarchs’ role was to pray, guide, and regulate the affairs of their respective communities.
Achebe stated that this was not Atiku’s first time meeting them, noting that he met with them in Onitsha during the 2019 presidential election.
“Our desire is to have a president who will bring peace, unity and security to the country. We wish you the best,” he said.
During the event, Senator Ben Obi, a former vice presidential candidate, stated that Atiku chose Ifeanyi Okowa because Ohanaeze had instructed that no Igbo guy from the South-East should be selected as a vice presidential candidate.
According to him, Atiku was buddies with the Ndigbo throughout his time as vice president of the country and chose an Igbo man from Delta State as his running mate.
“Atiku made it possible for Biafra soldiers to be properly and officially retired under the Obasanjo government. He picked me as a running mate and also picked Peter Obi as running mate in 2019. He also married our daughter, he is part of us and he loves Igbo,” Obi said.
