Allies of Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have been called upon to put the past behind them and work together to enable the former vice president to emerge as the country’s next president, come the 2023 General Elections.
Southwest PDP Secretary and Coordinating Leader of the movement, Hon. Rahman Owokoniran made the call in Lagos at a parley, which drew 10 representatives each from each of the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
This was just as Atiku allies, in a release made available to newsmen by Pastor Kayode Jacobs, on behalf of the Coordinating Council, announced that the movement, to which they belonged, had now metamorphosed into Atiku People United (APU) with the slogan, “Peace, Security assured.”
Owokoniran, who expressed joy over the huge turnout at the parley, at very short notice, said the process of Lagos PDP consolidation had started, urging participants, who he commended for pledging to work and garner votes for the party’s presidential candidate, to take the message of unity to the wards and units for Nigerians to know that united they “now stand for Atiku to rescue and unify Nigeria.”
“I am happy that every interest in PDP Lagos is represented here. The process of Lagos PDP consolidation has started. Please take the message of unity to the wards and units and let them know that united we now stand for Atiku to rescue and unify Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on the newly adopted new name and slogan for the movement, the PDP chieftain said getting the votes from the South-West for the main opposition party’s presidential flag bearer is paramount, while every other ceremony comes after.
According to him, the step being taken was also brought about because there are too many people doing too many things for Atiku/Okowa presidential ticket, saying there was also the need to identify and know those who cannot only do the work but equally deliver the votes for PDP.
“There are too many people doing too many things for Atiku/Okowa ticket, but we must identify and know those who can do the work and deliver the votes for PDP.
“To us getting the votes is paramount, every other ceremony comes after. We have decided to vote Atiku, No going back,” Owokoniran vowed.
Dr Babs Akinlolu, a United States-based finance expert and former member of the National Assembly, took the participants down the memory lane, explaining how Atiku, at a meeting where he was present, only replied “rankadede” and concurred when late Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua requested him to step down for MKO Abiola for Yorubas to have their turn as president of Nigeria in 1993.
“We worked, though Abiola did not get it, Obasanjo, another Yoruba man did. Yoruba should not vote wrongly, come 2023,” he said.
“This is the time to vote Atiku as one good turn deserves another. Apart from the fact that he once stepped down for South-West, he is married to a Yoruba woman, Alhaja Titilayo Atiku and he is a man who believes in the devolution of power, also being a South-West agenda and aspiration for many years,” Akinlolu said.
Chief Dapo Sarumi, in his own remark, said Atiku People United is a movement of friends and patriots who believe in a unified, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
Sarumi, whose message was delivered by Pastor Kayode, urged every member of the movement to adopt Boy Scout Law No. 4, which enjoins members to become friends to all and brothers to every other PDP member.
“This is the time to bond and is strong together to rescue our nation from obvious and unacceptable failure,” the PDP chieftain admonished.
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2023: Owokoniran to Atiku’s allies: Put the past behind, work for him to emerge next president
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