The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has urged the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to come out en masse and vote for the party’s governorship candidates on Saturday.
Atiku urged the electorate to use the November 11 gubernatorial elections to defeat anti-democratic forces, stressing that the polls in the three states are not about political godfathers.
DAILY POST reports that Dino Melaye is PDP’s governorship candidate in Kogi State, Governor Douye Diri is the party’s candidate in Bayelsa State, while Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu is flying the party’s flag in Imo State.
However, Atiku said despite the groundswell of dissatisfaction and resentment about how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) walked back on the promise of transparency in the last general elections, the shortcoming is not enough reason to give up on Nigeria’s democracy.
A statement by Atiku said: “Despite our disappointments, I urge us all to derive wisdom in the immortal saying of former US President James Monroe that, “the best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.”
“Our objective of defeating anti-democratic elements in our polity cannot be successful if we refuse to go out enmasse to cast our ballot on Election Day.
“And, that is why, I am appealing to the good people of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to come out in large numbers this Saturday to vote for the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party in those respective elections.
“In Bayelsa State, Governor Duoye Diri has given a good account of himself as a leader who is directly responsible to the people. His giant strides in the areas of infrastructure and social development speak volumes about how his government has been able to touch the lives of the people positively.
“In Kogi, Senator Dino Melaye has shown great capacity to stand on the side of the people and, by so doing, using every opportunity available to him to drive speedy development to his constituents. Electing him governor will afford him a bigger platform to do even more.
“In Imo State, too, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu has a rich profile of a political leader who is not only in touch with the grassroots but is committed to protecting the interests of his constituents. Senator Anyanwu is a political leader who I believe has what it takes to take Imo State to a higher pedestal in good governance.
“While our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has put forth visionary leaders whose main objective is to serve the people, it is a different story altogether with our main rival, the APC.
“In Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo, candidates flying the flags of the APC are known to be stooges of some godfathers within or outside of those states. The elections this Saturday are absolutely about the people. It is absolutely not about any political godfather.
“That is why it is important for the people of Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi state to come out in large numbers to vote for the PDP and to reject the APC that has brought us untold hardship and misery.
“These elections are more about the fortunes of the common people, and it is my firm belief that when the people vote and stand to protect their votes, democracy wins. When democracy wins, the people invariably win.”
