…. Only God gives power – Elumelu
By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
As political horse trading and strategic positioning ahead of 2023 general elections kick off, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has intensified lobby and support from members of the House of Representatives elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku who was the Presidential candidate of the party in the last general election assured the lawmakers that he has the mental and physical capacity to drive the country into a progressive path. He lamented that the country has become so disintegrated under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari adding that he feels unfilled to see Nigerians leave the country in droves in search of basic amenities which every other country takes for granted.
Atiku during a meeting with PDP members at the green chambers on Tuesday in Abuja said that the next general election is the last chance for the country to get it right. He added that he is inundated by calls from various stakeholders who believe in his ability to rescue the country, explanting that those overtures formed the bases for his resolve to present himself to vie for the PDP presidential ticket.
“We are in one of the trying times in our history as a country. With the increase in poverty, joblessness, insecurity, inflation, economic recession and serious division. There is never been a time when Nigeria need credible leadership than now.
“PDP is in a better position to offer Nigerians that desirable and competent leadership. That is what I want to offer myself, I want to offer solution to our problems, but we have to do it together.
“I have experience at the highest and lowest levels. As the Vice President of Nigeria, I ensured many progressive and national transformations and constitutional law. As a businessman, I have solved grassroots problems and provided jobs for thousands of people.
“Above all, it is my passion for the progress of this country that drives my quest for the presidency of this country” he said.
The Waziri Adamawa said that he is articulating a policy document that will drive his administration. He said that victory of PDP depends on the candidate it presents to the people for elections at all levels and urged the party to choose a candidate that can easily win at the secondary election.
“Since the last election, we have built an even better support base in this country, Nigerians have more reasons to vote for us now. The momentum has been built already, we should not let them down. I have received numerous calls from well-meaning Nigerian groups and individually asking me to contest again. That is why I feel even more confident that this time around victory is ours not mine only.
“This is the last chance for this country to get it right. Any failure to elect the right leaders now means Nigeria is doomed. That is why this election is not for us or our personal interest, it is about salvaging the country and I want to seek your support to help me do that” Atiku stated.
In his response, House Minority leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu told the aspirant that it is only God that gives power.
Elumelu told Atiku that he is the second candidate to approach the house for support and urged him to ensure that his aspiration does not disunite the party.
“We do not doubt that you have the mental and physical capacity needed to drive PDP to win the election.
“You happen to be the second person out of the presidential hopefuls to see us and ask for our support.
“But what we have always said is that we are not happy with the way and manners we are not trying to unite ourselves. What is important is that we must unite ourselves to take over from APC led government.
“We need to avoid any form of assault or attack on ourselves, it will not help us. Sometimes we read in the newspapers where people from the same party are fighting themselves, I do not think that it will be a very healthy development for us to gather the momentum that we require to take over. So I believe that it is the unity that we will need to get the power.
“The second one is that it is God that gives power, he gives to whomsoever he wishes to. You have humbly come here and you have so humbled yourself before us. One way or the other you have played a critical role in our individual lives or collectively.
“So I charge all of us to go out there and with one voice talk about what will unite Nigeria and not what will divide Nigeria.
“I want to assure you that at the appointed time, the caucus that you know will speak with one voice and our voice will be heard”.
