The former Vice President who said this on Thursday during his rally in Awka, Anambra State capital, said that he was the stepping stone to Igbo presidency as this was the third time he was contesting for president with a running mate of Igbo (South East) extraction.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has told the people of the South-East region of Nigeria that if the region wants to produce a president in the country, they should vote for him in the 2023 general elections.
The former Vice President who said this on Thursday during his rally in Awka, Anambra State capital, said that he was the stepping stone to Igbo presidency as this was the third time he was contesting for president with a running mate of Igbo (South East) extraction.
Speaking at Ekwueme Square, Awka during the rally, Atiku with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, his running mate, said, “I’m going to be the stepping stone to Igbo presidency. I have shown it by my actions because this is the third time I will be contesting with an Igbo man as my running mate.
“If you really want to produce a president, then vote Atiku/Okowa. I thank you for this wonderful reception and we promise not to disappoint you.”
Also speaking, Atiku’s running mate, Governor Okowa who commended the party leaders for the high level of campaign in the communities of Anambra said “We are appealing to you all to vote for PDP in the general election. Our presidential candidate, Atiku, is the most experienced among all the candidates contesting, and he is determined to transform Nigeria for good.”
Similarly, PDP’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who described Anambra State as a PDP State despite that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had been in power in the state for almost 10 years, urged the Southeastern electorates to come out and vote for PDP.
Justifying his claim that Anambra was a PDP state, Senator Ayu said that “PDP started in Anambra with our leader, Dr Alex Ekwuene. So Anambra is PDP not APGA. APGA is a son to PDP and in future we shall bring APGA back to their home which is PDP.
“The Igbo people, particularly in Anambra, are stakeholders in Nigeria because there is no village you will go to in this country that you will not see an Igbo man. This makes them more national people in Nigeria.
“I beg you to vote PDP because we have a very competent candidate, who is a businessman like you and also your in-law. Sometimes, your in-law is better than your son.
“So, go get your permanent voter cards and vote for Atiku/Okowa. This team will solve Nigeria’s security problems, stabilise and transform the climate of this country.”