2019 presidential election: Atiku begins campaign

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Atiku Abubakar, on Monday said he would run a people-friendly government
if elected in 2019.

Mammoth crowd at the campaign

Atiku made the promise while addressing thousands of PDP supporters
at the North-West Zonal launching of the 2019 Atiku/Obi Presidential
Campaign Rally in Sokoto.

“Our Nigeria of today needs leaders that will involve all in
government, not some individuals who only care for their personal
interests and not the country.

“We have plan to involve all Nigerians in any decision making, most especially the masses that remain our priority in PDP.

Secondus, Atiku, Tambuwal and Saraki at the campaign in Sokoto

“Our target is to ensure Nigeria of our founding fathers, a country
for all, a united and secure Nigeria that will attract more investors to
participate in its economic growth.

“As such, we expect all hands to be on deck in order for us to successfully achieve the Nigeria we deserve,” he said.

PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, called on supporters to secure
their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them to vote for the party
in the forthcoming election.

“Our PVCs are the only weapons for us to attain the required victory
of our choice in 2019, as such, we protect them for the best interest of
our desire.

“We are fully confident that Nigeria is for PDP and such will always
remain, as it is the only party that can deliver for the people.

“So, our collective responsibility is to ensure that we come out en
masse and vote for the party and also protect our votes after casting
without any fear of intimidation,” he said.

Secondus called on the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) to ensure free and fair election in the best interest of the
country.

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State in his remarks, welcomed all the
PDP supporters from the zone and other parts of the country to the
state.

He called on Nigerians to vote massively for all PDP candidates in
their respective States to enable the party to deliver on its campaign
promises.

Tambuwal described Atiku as a leader that can deliver all the
necessary needs of Nigerians in the area of human development and all
other sectors that needed to be addressed in the country.

“We are confident that our party’s candidate, structure and
reputation will be the best for Nigeria and Nigerians and will surely
deliver the necessary needs of our people.

“As such, we have to come out en masse in February 2019 to vote for PDP for the best Nigeria of our dreams,” Tambuwal said.

In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan said that Nigeria
has a lot of challenges that need to be systematically addressed.

“We believe that today we are facing a lot of challenges in our
country and we believe Atiku is the only candidate that can deliver well
in tackling such,” Jonathan said.

Former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, described the
gathering as a great achievement for the zone and the success of PDP in
the country.

He said Atiku remained one of the tested and trusted leaders in
Nigeria who deserved the support of the people to achieve a greener
country for all.

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said Atiku is contesting to unite Nigeria and tackle all the challenges in the country.

Other personalities who attended the rally were former governors
Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and
Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto State.

Former President of the Senate, David Mark, former Governor of Kaduna
State, Ahmad Makarfi, former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna as
well as all the PDP governorship candidates from the seven States in the
zone, also attended.