Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, announced his campaign pledges for Rivers State even as he announced his decision to forgo holding a rally there to prevent casualties and property damage.
Atiku said this when he met with Rivers State PDP officials in Abuja late on Sunday night. He added that both his campaign and the PDP firmly believed that no Nigerian’s life should be sacrificed for political gain.
Remember that the PDP had previously rejected the location after Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, a member of the G-5 governors, rescinded the original clearance given to utilize the location.
A former minister of transportation, Abiye Sekibo, and senator Lee Maeba were among the prominent PDP figures in Rivers State who were attacked during election-related violence.
Moreover, the state’s opposition leaders, including Dumo-Lulu Briggs of the Accord Party and Senator Magnus Abe of the SDP, both of whom are running for governor, came under attack.
But the former vice president remarked, “I want to start by acknowledging the circumstances and turn of events that have led us to this unique type of a campaign rally, addressing to the Rivers PDP stakeholders in Abuja.
“While we didn’t want it to be this way, it became necessary for us to think and act creatively in order to safeguard our people’s lives from the senseless murder and violence that their primary caretakers are responsible for instigating.
The PDP, as well as our campaign, firmly believes that no political ambition is worth the blood of a Nigerian.
“Evidently, the current situation in Rivers State and this gathering here, called for by our Rivers PDP family, confirm my long-standing ties to the state.
“Beyond being a good corporate citizen of Rivers State, I have developed a close bond with a number of families in the state over the years. This bond predates politics by decades. Because of this, I continue to believe that the people of Rivers will support the PDP and our presidency, Atiku told the audience.
He claimed that Rivers State and the people of Rivers were destined to play significant roles in the Atiku/Okowa presidency and to gain significantly from it.
He also guaranteed the people of Rivers that their state would reclaim its leadership role in Nigerian politics and governance.
“Among other benefits, Rivers State’s transportation infrastructure would get first consideration. To promote economic activity that will have a multiplier impact on the economy of Rivers State for the benefit of our people, the existing seaports will be extended.
“Although the deep seaport in Bonny will receive immediate attention, the unfinished rail line from Onne Port to join the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri train line, which has been in the works for decades, will be completed quickly.
“A cardinal pledge of our presidency will be the completion of the East-West Road. To become a true regional center, the international airport in Port Harcourt will get more attention and funding.
“Our focused economic empowerment program will assist the young of Rivers State, as well as other states in the Niger Delta, as a means of addressing the ongoing youth restiveness and discontent that has occasionally produced security concerns.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), among other initiatives, will be updated and reorganized to provide a dependable platform for maximizing the limitless creative potential and energies of our children in Rivers State.
“The intelligent, talented, and hardworking Rivers women have a front row seat in our recovery agenda for Nigeria. The women of Rivers State will gain from our particular female-focused business funding as well as be given consideration for appointments to various offices.
The Rivers people understand that an Atiku presidency is intrinsically in their best interests, which is why you have made it your own project at enormous human and material cost, as a corporate citizen of Rivers State for many years.
“I can tell you that the good governance that will enable you to accomplish your objectives will fully merit the sacrifice and support you have provided.
“I thus kindly request that you continue to vote for the PDP as normal on Saturday, February 25, 2023, despite threats and senseless violent intimidation. I can tell you that all of your efforts will be amply repaid.
“I hope you have a safe trip home. Be careful. Godspeed to the Peoples Democratic Party in the future. Godspeed to Rivers State. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is to be blessed by God. Thank you so much, he continued.
Former Vice President Nnamadi Sambo, Atiku’s running mate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, PDP National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, former Rivers State Governor Celestine Omehia, Senator Lee Maeba, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, and others were in attendance at the meeting.
