Shatima Nasidi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the only sure way for the Ndigbo to attain the country’s presidency is for them to support the 2023 presidential aspiration of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The party said the former vice president has proved to the South-East people that he can be trusted, adding that no other tribe in Nigeria has trusted the Ndigbo and made them direct partners in progress than Atiku.
The PDP Deputy Director of Media and Publicity, Presidential Management Committee, Mr. Uloka Chibuike, stated these in a statement made available to journalists in Awka on Tuesday.
According to Chibuike, Ndigbo have a duty to support Atiku in the 2023 presidential elections because he has pledged to restructure Nigeria to favour and accommodate the South-East and make sure that his successor comes from the region.
He said, “We have more to gain from an alliance with the North than any other region in the country. Atiku has proved to the Igbo man that he can be trusted. No other tribe in Nigeria has trusted the Igbo man and made them direct partners in progress, except Atiku.
“In 2007, against the uproar, he chose an Igbo from Anambra State in the person of Senator Ben Ndi Obi to be his running mate.
“Despite the animosity of many, he chose Mr. Peter Obi as his running mate in 2019 to prove his relationship with Ndi-Igbo.
“Again, despite Ohanaeze’s ban on Igbo politicians accepting the vice presidency in 2023, Atiku chose another Igbo man as his running mate in 2023, promising to hand over power to Ndi-Igbo after his term.
“Atiku has pledged to restructure Nigeria to favour and accommodate Ndi-Igbo and make sure that his successor is from the region. This is not just a promise; he has repeatedly shown that his word is his bond. While others continue to treat Igbo with leprous fingers, Atiku has promised to treat us with respect.”
