Few months after he assured Ndigbo of the South east that his presidency would open the road for them to produce his successor if he wins the February 25 presidential election, Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has told voters from Delta state that it is up to them to make their son the next President of the country by voting for him and his running mate, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa.
Atiku said that his restructuring agenda is one of his foremost agenda and pointed out that Niger Delta states will benefit more from the policy as they will be able to control their resources.
The former Vice President made the commitment on Tuesday in Asaba, Delta state, when he addressed party supporters during the PDP Presidential rally.
Atiku in his address reaffirmed his pledge to reunite the country and ensure that the country is reunified.
He said, “I want to tell you that I shall not betray the trust of Delta State and in fact united Delta sub-region all together. That is why as my modest contribution to my support over the years, I decided to take one of you as my running mate, as you know a running mate is always a stepping stone, is up to you to give Governor Okowa the massive support that he needs to show the people of this country that he has committed to your own future.
“I want to assure you that in my agenda is education. I want to commend this young man who on behalf of all the students in Niger Delta has today endorsed our candidature. In my policy document there shall be no more ASUU strike. One of the items that are of benefit to is the issue of resource control or restructuring. You as Niger Delta shall benefit from that policy because it is our intension to devolve more powers and more resources to your respective states to deal with your problems instead of waiting for the federal government to do so.
“This APC government has disunited Nigeria, north-south, has disunited Nigeria Christian-Muslim, has disunited Nigeria in all respects. It is our commitment to restore the unity of this country. We will make sure very part of this country, every religion in this country has a sense of belonging in the federal government, that one I promise you”.
He asked the people to trust the PDP to deliver on its promises as it has record of keeping to its promises.
“I said the security of this country is paramount. You cannot develop education, the economy and cannot live in peace without security. It is our responsibility and commitment to make sure we secure this country safe wherever you may live. You must believe in PDP”
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the party, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu described the Delta State governor and Vice Presidential candidate as someone committed to the development of the state.
The Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council and governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel assured that all the multinational companies that exited the Niger Delta due to insecurity and harsh business environment will return and create a lot of jobs as soon as PDP returns to the Presidential villa.
“Out of you shall come the next Vice President, who shall be the Chairman of the National Economic Council and through him all the IOC shall return to warri, they shall return to Delta.
“All the companies that were here, they have all gone, but with your son as the next Chairman of the National Economic Council and with our President, the man who knows business, who has done business it takes someone who has managed business, education, people to be able to manage Nigeria out of the situation we are today and the only person is Atiku and Okowa of the PDP.
“In those days when you enter Warri and other areas, you will see the activities of the oil companies and our area was booming, because we own 50 percent, the foreigners own 40 percent, so the Chairman together with the president will return all IOCs to the Niger Delta and the economy will boom again. The whole Niger Delta region will return to its economic power.
“I want assure you that with our incoming president, our refineries will work again, we will take the refineries back to production, you can imagine how many youths will be employed. Students that want to do research will benefit from it also. The Niger Delta will give Atiku not less than 5milliom votes”.
