By Muhammad B. Muhammad
Barely seven days to the commencement of Nigeria’s general elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday held the grand finale of its presidential campaign in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
Mahmud Ribadu Square, the venue for the rally was filled to capacity as thousands of supporters within and outside the state trooped to the arena to catch a glimpse of the important political gathering.
Adamawa is the home state of the Presidential Candidate of the PDP and former Nigeria’s Vice President, Alh Atiku Abubakar, who is contesting for the second time under the same platform for the number one seat of the country.
Speaking at the rally, Alh Atiku Abubakar who is the Waziri Adamawa (Prime Minister of Adamawa Emirate) reiterated that he would never disappoint Nigerians if elected and promised to keep to his words.
“Let me first of all thank Nigerians for the show of support and solidarity to the PDP campaign train in the last six months. We really appreciate you so much in your support to salvaging this country to greatness,” he said.
According to Abubakar, “it is a golden opportunity for Adamawa to produce next president of this country. I therefore want to call on our people not to allow this opportunity to pass. You should all vote for PDP from top to bottom on election days.”
The Presidential Candidate commended Governor Fintiri of Adamawa State for his giant strides especially in the areas of education and other sectors and urged the people to re-elect him for continuity of good governance.
The National Chairman of PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, before presenting the party’s flag to Governor Fintiri and Taraba State Governorship candidates, disclosed that Alh Abubakar has been widely accepted across the country.
The Vice Presidential Candidate and Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa said Adamawa has brought Nigeria a leader who understands the country and has the requisite experience to govern for the better.
The Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal called on the people of the state to support their son to enable him ride Nigerians to the promised land.
The Chairman of the Campaign Council, and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel urged the residents to come out en masse on next Saturday and cast their votes for the PDP as it is only party that has the blueprint for this country.
The host Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri saluted Nigerians for believing in Adamawa son, noting that Alhaji Abubakar is indeed fully prepared to rescue the country from the present predicaments.
Fintiri said if reelected, his administration will continue to unite Adamawa people and bring peace and development in urban and rural areas as well as ensure empowerment of youths and women for the state to prosper.
In his remarks, former Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Muhammadu Bindow Jibirilla observed that the crowd at the rally has shown that Abubakar is the only candidate to beat and called on the people to support the actualisation of this.
On his part, another Ex-governor of the State, Mr Boni Haruna thanked the PDP for producing Adamawa son as its Presidential candidate, saying the residents will not take it for granted and commended Governor Fintiri for hosting a beffitting rally.
The former Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, ex-Minister Haj Zainab Maina and Haj Najaatu Mohammed all expressed the conviction that if elected, Alh Abubakar will bring unity and improve the economy as well as the lives of youths and women.
In their separate remarks, the State Chairman of PDP, Barrister Tahir Shehu and State Director General PDP Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign Council, Alh Auwal Tukur were optimistic that voting Alh Abubakar will turn around the fortunates of this country for the better.
Speaking on behalf of over two thousand decampees that joined the PDP, the former State Organising Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alh Ahmed Lawan said with their exit, APC is now dead in Adamawa and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alh Atiku Abubakar has appealed to the traditional rulers in the state to ensure people are mobilised to support the party in the forthcoming elections.
Alh Abubakar made the plea when he earlier paid a homage on Lamido Adamawa, Dr Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha at his place in Yola.
He thanked the Adamawa traditional council for the support, prayers and hospitable reception accorded him and his entourage and asked them to unite their subjects and forge a common front towards voting for him.
In his remarks, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri said the support for Alhaji Atiku is not only because he is from Adamawa but the best candidate with a clear blueprint to salvage this country from the woes of underdevelopment.
“Today we bring our son for your support. We are selling him not because he is from Adamawa but he is the best and has a blueprint, with five agenda. I call on the emirs and chiefs to canvas votes to Atiku Abubakar,” said Fintiri.
Responding, Lamido Adamawa, Dr Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha noted with appreciation that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is getting massive support from the people all over the country and prayed for his success in the next week’s election.
He commended the Presidential Candidate for choosing Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate, saying the choice was in the right direction to the journey of fixing this country to greatness.
The Presidential Candidate was accompanied to the Lamido’s Palace by his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Governors of Sokoto, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Bauchi States, national chairman of PDP Iyocha Ayu and other top government officials and party chieftains.