…I will be stepping stone to Igbo presidency
By Agunwa Uzendu, Abuja
As the campaign train of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lands in Anambra state, the party’s flagbearer Atiku Abubakar has pledged to dredge the River Niger to allow the berthing of ships, tackle bad federal roads and check erosion which has continued to pose a menace to the state if elected president in 2023.
The PDP Candidate while addressing supporters at the presidential campaign rally in Awka, acknowledged the business ingenuity of the people of the South East and promised to give support to their business endeavours and as well empower traders, women and youths engaged in Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (MSME).
Atiku who paid a courtesy call to the state governor, Prof Charles Soludo, assured him that he will reconstruct all the federal roads that passed through Anambra State as soon as he is elected into office.
Narrating the demands made by the governor, Atiku said, “Make sure that you control our erosion, because Anambra is the erosion headquarters of the world. Erosion is destroying our farmlands, it is destroying our houses and everything we have. This is a very gigantic project.
“And I promised him I am going to do that, and you know I have worked with Soludo before. He is a first-class patriotic Nigerian.
“You have an excellent governor. He also appealed to me about Onisha port. This time around we are going to dredge River Niger to make Onitsha port functional. We are also going to help Anambra industrialize the state so that the state will create as many jobs for our young men and women.
“And you know I promised to set aside $10 billion to promote small scale and medium enterprise for our young men and women so that they can be independent.
“I am going to be a stepping stone to an Igbo president in this country. I have shown it in my action because this is the third time, I am running with an Igbo man. If you really want to produce a president then vote Atiku-Okowa ticket.
“I want to thank you the people of Anambra state for this warm reception. I never thought I will see such a crowd in Anambra state and believe me we are not going to forget you, we are going to reward you handsomely.”
Also speaking at the rally, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, acknowledged the role played by some leaders in Anambra state at the formative years of the party.
He declared that some members of the All-Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, will soon decamp to the PDP.
“It is our leader, Dr Alex Ekwueme who led 34 of us, including Atiku Abubakar here to form this party. Anambra is PDP and I am happy with what I have seen here. Even APGA is the son of PDP, so we shall bring many APGA members back to their home in PDP.
“We want to assure you that the Igbo, particularly Anambra people, have a big stake in Nigeria. There is no village that you will go in Nigeria that you will not see an Igbo man who is a businessman.
“So, the Igbo in terms of business are the more national people in Nigeria. You need every part of this country and I like the indomitable spirit of the Igbo nation.
“I believe that if you join hands with us under a competent leader and an experienced leader, a man who is already your in-law, business man, a man who will ultimately take care of all the security issues in the country, stabilize this country and make it a better country for us all.
“There is nothing that I can tell you about this great man that you don’t know, give him your votes, sometimes an in-law is better than a son.
“I believe that Atiku is going to change the climate of the country. Hold your PVC, give us your vote, let us work together,” he said.