BY OGBONNA ONYEKACHUKWU, PORT HARCOURT – Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 16 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has assured that there will be no going back on restructuring the country for efficiency if elected into office.
Atiku, who re-affirmed his commitment to the cause of making Nigeria better and working again, said; “If you (masses) elect PDP and Atiku into office; I will restructure Niger Delta and all other parts of the country. We must restructure the country.”
Addressing teeming party faithful at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Monday, Atiku, accompanied by his running-mate, Peter Obi, and other PDP leaders, also pledged to uphold the rule of law in the country.
“My administration will uphold rule of law and will never allow the rule of law to be trampled by anybody,” he said; adding; “I assure you that I will protect the constitution, protect separation of powers and will not interfere with the National Assembly and Judiciary because I believe in checks and balances.”
The PDP presidential flag-bearer said if elected, his administration would focus on re-positioning Nigeria to work again, even as he lamented that the East West highway project started by the Obasanjo/Atiku administration has been left uncompleted many years after.
According to him, “It has not been completed because we did not vote PDP to continue in power in 2015. The project has been haunted till today. We are going to complete it, if voted into power.”
He also promised that the PDP administration would complete the dredging of old Port Harcourt and Onne sea ports if he wins February 16 presidential polls.
Claiming that Rivers State and South-South region had been abandoned by the present administration since 2015, despite its viability as Nigeria’s economic hub, the former Vice President said; “Every development that the people of South-South, Niger Delta and Rivers have gotten was done by PDP-led governments. The roads, schools, hospitals and water, among others were provided by PDP.”
In his speech at the rally, former President Goodluck Jonathan urged the Rivers people to turn out enmass to support the PDP at all levels with their votes.
Noting that nepotism, divisiveness, discrimination, factionalism, favouritism, sectionalism and killings have become prevalent in the country, Jonathan said; “All of us know that things that had never been happening in this country have been happening since 2015. Nigerians can attest if the country has gone forward, backward or static.
“We cannot as a nation continue to stay where we currently are. We believe the only person out of the candidates who can lead us out if this quagmire is Atiku.
“If your son or daughter is qualified to become Inspector-General of Police and Chief of Army Staff, he or she will be appointed. No one will be discriminated. Atiku will lead Nigeria forward.”
For the Director-General of Atiku Presidential Campaign and Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Atiku’s wealth of experience is what Nigeria needs now to fulfill its potential as giant of Africa.
Saraki blamed the APC-led government for visiting poverty and unemployment on Nigerians, claiming that; “There is poverty in the land and Nigerians are tired of poverty. The people want a man who can bring economic prosperity and that man is Atiku.”
Not left out, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, said with the warm reception accorded the party and its presidential candidate across the country, victory at the polls has been assured.
