The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, implored residents of Lagos State to take their destiny in their own hands by voting the party in the 2023 general elections.
Abubakar, who made this remark at the flag off of the PDP Presidential Rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, said that it was poised to install people’s government as against ‘family government’ being practised in the state since 1999.
The former vice president, who claimed that most of the notable infrastructure in the state were built by the previous Federal Governments and not the ruling APC, urged the electorate to vote PDP because of their future and that of the country.
“It is time for you, the people of Lagos, to liberate yourselves from a family government to the people’s government, which is to be led by “Jandor“, the Lagos State PDP Governorship Candidate.
“For the people of Lagos, it is high time you took your destiny in your own hands for your own future.
“It is right and it is your duty to take back that governance and hand it over to yourselves. That is what the PDP is out for,” Abubakar said.
The PDP candidate said if elected as president in 2023 general elections, his team would revamp the economy, strengthen the security and restructure the country to position it on the path of sustainable growth and development.
“On my own hand, if you elect me as your president, I said and I mean it, by the grace of God, I am going to set aside $10 billion so that we can empower our young men and women in small and medium enterprises.
“People were asking me where will I get $10 billion. If I privatise Port Harcourt refinery, Warri refinery and Kaduna refinery, I am going to get the money.
“Let me also promise you, if you elect PDP government, we are going to restructure this country. We will give your state and local governments more powers and resources. It is up to you to hold them responsible.”
In his remarks, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, urged party leaders and members to go out en mass and campaign for Abubakar, “for it to be well with Nigeria”.
Speaking, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of the Atiku Abubakar/Ifeanyi Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, said that PDP’s administration would make Nigeria’s economy to bounce back.
“Atiku will restore the economy and bring back the lost glory of Lagos. We want a Nigeria that works for everybody, not only the rich but also the poor,” Emmanuel said.
The PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, said that PDP had truly brought hope to Nigeria, saying, “Lagos is going to be liberated. We are going to liberate Lagos.
“Liberating Lagos is liberating Nigeria. Today, we have brought you hope and bring a man who is ready to liberate Lagos. With the President of PDP, we will make sure life is better for all,” he said.
The wife of the PDP presidential candidate, Mrs Titi Abubakar, who commended the women and youths for defying the sun to attend the rally, said that Nigerians should use their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to show that they were tired of sufferings.
Stressing that it would not be easy to wrestle power from APC, Mrs Abubakar urged the people to show resilience and determination.
“Atiku Abubakar has come to rescue Nigeria. Atiku has come to save Nigerian from bondage of poverty and hardship. If you can vote for Atiku Abubakar, your sufferings will be over, ” she said.
Thousands of PDP supporters and groups dressed in various campaign clothes, T-shirts and caps of different colours were busy blowing trumpets, displaying umbrella, hoisting flags and other symbols of the party under the scorching sun to demonstrate support for Abubakar.
Popular Fuji star, Saheed Osupa, entertained supporters in a live play at the event to the admiration of all.
There was tight security at the venue of the campaign as security agencies and ad hoc security personnel were strategically situated at various points of entries.
At the event were members of the PDP Board of Trustees, National Working Committee, PDP State Executive Councils and governors.
Others in attendance were the party’s candidates for various positions, former governors, National Assembly members and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara.
