From Obinna Odogwu, Awka
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, told Igbo to vote for him during the forthcoming polls if they were serious about becoming Nigeria’s president in the future.
He stated this while addressing his party faithful in Awka, Anambra State capital during their presidential campaign rally which took place at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square.
“The people of Anambra State, I am sure you know that I am going to be the stepping stone to an Igbo president in this country. I have shown it by my actions 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”, he said.
But at a non-partisan stakeholders’ meeting held at Uche Ekwunife’s centre shortly after his rally, Atiku made mockery of Bola Tinubu’s outing at the Chatham House in the United Kingdom.
Tinubu, his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress (APC), delegated some of his aides and associates to respond to questions fired at him shortly after presenting his speech at the venue.
Atiku, who was responding to questions thrown at him during the stakeholders’ meeting, said that he wouldn’t assign questions or responsibilities he was supposed to take care of to anyone just as Tinubu did.
Although the Waziri Adamawa did not mention Asiwaju’s name, he obviously was referring to his Chatham House outing where he delegated some of his aides and associates to respond to questions thrown at him.
“I won’t assign questions to anybody here; I am going to answer them myself,” Atiku mocked.
Going forward, Atiku promised to carry Ndigbo, and indeed all Nigerians, along in his government if elected. He said that he has the interest of Ndigbo at heart and that he would stop at nothing to protect same.
“First of all, you have your interest protected by the constitution. What I can promise you is that I am going to govern according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And I do swear to that.
“Whatever is your entitlement as Anambra State, you shall get it. But don’t also forget that I have a special relationship with Anambra. So, if there is any special interest or extra interest to Anambra, you can be sure that I will protect and advance it.
“I can assure you that the first six positions in the government: president, vice president, senate president, speaker and the SGF, each will go to one of the zones. I am not going to have two in one zone. I want you to hold me responsible and accountable for that”, Atiku said.
“Those of you who must have read ‘My Covenant with Nigeria’ should know that restructuring or devolution of powers to states and Local Governments is one of the five key programmes of my administration. So, definitely, devolution of powers will be implemented in our next administration.”
Earlier, Atiku, who stormed the state in the company of his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, paid a courtesy call on Anambra governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia. He later met with traditional rulers at the Government House, Awka.