Atiku in Osun, promises to surmount insecurity, disunity, economic deprivation from day one

…Says unlike APC, PDP will not fail Osun

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has expressed commitment to tackling the spate of insecurity, disunity and economic deprivation ravaging Nigeria beginning from his first day in office, if elected into office in 2023.

Atiku made the pledge while addressing party supporters at the party’s presidential rally, in Osogbo, the Osun State Capital, on Wednesday, during which he told the people of  the  state that unlike the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party will not fail them if elected into power.

The PDP candidate first expressed gratitude to the people of the state for voting in Ademola Adeleke, as Governor of the state, noting that with Adeleke who is a PDP Governor at the state level and Atiku/Okowa as President/ Vice President at the Federal level, Osun State will witness unparalleled growth in all spheres.

The PDP flag bearer assured that the present problems besetting the country can be resolved through restructuring, noting that he will commence the process from day one in office.

Addressing the party faithful, Atiku stated: “I have only come to thank you for what you have done. You are a wonderful person for returning PDP to power in the last state elections.

“I believe by returning PDP to power, you will strengthen this authority by voting PDP in the next general elections because a federal government controlled by PDP and a state government controlled by PDP in Osun State is to the greater good of Osun people.

“And our only objective is to make sure that the current challenges of insecurity, disunity, economic deprivation, lack of jobs for our young men and women and the future of this country through restructuring can be achieved.

“This I promise you I am going to start doing them from day one. It means empowering Osun State with more resources and authority with what is needed to be done, to provide the infrastructure needed for development, invest in education and healthcare in Osun State and bring about industrialization for the economic benefit of the people of Osun State.

“My brothers and sisters of Osun State, I have come to l thank you and I urged you, I appeal to you, I plead with you to come out in greater numbers than you did in the last state election and vote for the PDP in the next general election. That is the only way that you can secure your future and the future of your children. We promise you we will not fail you.

“We are not like APC because we have done it before we have got the experience. We have got the people who have the capacity to bring about changes. We are not new as far as governance is concerned in Nigeria.”

The presidential candidate, whose wife, Titi, is Yoruba, asked the party faithful: “So, my fellow brothers and sister, my in-laws, are you going to vote for your in-law or not? God bless you all.”

Also addressing the party supporters, PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, alleged that the immediate past administration in Osun State led by Gboyega Oyetola was an army of occupation.

He accused his government of looting the state, especially Government House, which he said caused the newly sworn-in Governor Ademola Adeleke, to buy new household materials.

The party boss revealed that he had advised Governor Adeleke to disclose in due course to the people the extent of looting by the previous administration.

While calling for unity among PDP members, Ayu said the people of Osun should vote for PDP at the centre to complement the state government.

He said: “I am here to thank the people of Osun State for the honour they have to me as a person and the party as a whole. I thank the Osun people because you made it possible for me to produce my first Governor as the Chairman of the PDP. It shows what unity can do and as a united people, you made it possible for the PDP to win this strategic state.

“The founding fathers of the PDP formed the party to be owned by ordinary people not any individual. Everybody in this party is important and that is why we lay emphasis on the people. If people want something done, nothing can stop it.

“I call on all Nigerians to come back and join hands with us, to work with us, so that we can control the government at the local, state and federal level.

“I am happy that some people who were misled, who mistakenly left the party for one reason or the other are coming back today. I hope every other person will follow their example and come back to the PDP because this is a party of hope, party of the future.

“Whatever happens in the past, you should forget the past, reunite with every member because we have a big job ahead.

“If we produce Ademola Adeleke as your Governor, you need the support of the Federal government. If you don’t have the support of the Federal government, you will continue to live in darkness.

“This town is very dirty because you have no leader. Even when they were leaving, they removed everything including cooking utensils, television, and furniture.

“Adeleke has to buy a new bed. It means that government is an army of occupation. They came and looted and they have gone away.

“We have talked to your Governor to release to you what they have done to your treasury. Along the line, he will make you know the damage they have done. You have no reason whatsoever to vote for them again.”

In his address, the Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, said rather than solve the nation’s problems as they promised, the APC compounded them by adding to insecurity and dragging the economy backwards.

He told Osun people not to be discouraged because the PDP has the best candidate for the job in Atiku.