Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has vowed that the party will reclaim the Imo governorship seat in 2023.
Imo guber election, an off season poll, will take place on November 6, 2023. The PDP lost the position on January 14, 2020, when the Supreme Court sacked Emeka Ihedioha, and declared Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Owerri on Saturday, Atiku described what happened in 2020 as a daylight robbery.
Atiku said Imo had been a traditional PDP state, stressing that all those who won the governorship position in Imo had been PDP loyalists.
He said the party is poised to restore the glory of Imo as a peaceful state by making sure that it brings an end to the brigandage that has characterised the state.
He described his visit to Imo as a traditional home making, stating that the first traditional title bestowed on him in Igboland was from Imo State.
He said that he recognized Igbo people as astute businessmen and promised to set aside $10 billion to support business women and youth in the state.
Atiku said, “PDP is Imo and Imo is PDP. We are poised to reclaim our traditional home base. What happened in January 2020 was daylight robbery and I know Imo people are ready to bring back their loving parry.
“We recognise your position as astute business people and we have decided to set aside $10 billion to support women and young people in their businesses.”
Earlier, Ihedioha told the people that a vote for Atiku would ensure their vote is secured and no one would steal their mandate again.
“If we vote Atiku nobody will steal our votes again. Under 7 months, I paid all pensioners owed, restore good governance. I ask you to transfer the love you have for me to my boss, Atiku Abubakar,” the former Deputy Speaker said.
In his address, Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP, Ifeanyi Okowa said Imo youths had shown that they were ready to vote for the PDP.
Okowa noted that has entrepreneurs, Imo youths will benefit immensely from the PDP.
He said, “Atiku will set aside $10bn to support small business across the country. He told the large crowd.”
The DG, PDP Presidential campaign council, Gov Aminu Tambuwal, while addressing the crowd, said “Atiku is very familiar with the issues of Imo state, southeastern states and Ndigbo. He is here seeking your support to recover this country from insecurity, poverty and economic woes. If you vote for him you will be convinced that Atiku is the only candidate that can set Nigeria to the path of greatness.”
The rally held at the Heroes Square, was attended by the party’s vice presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, the party chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, former Governor Emeka Ihedioha and a host of party stalwarts.
