A coalition of civil society organizations under the aegis of One Nigeria Group (ONG) has endorsed the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as its candidate for February 25 Presidential election.
The group made the declaration at a well-attended press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, ahead of Saturday’s presidential poll.
President of the group, Alhaji Muhammad Saleh Hassan, who addressed the press conference, explained that the choice of Atiku was borne out of his long-established profile as a “nationalist and unifier”.
He added that the former Vice President also has a “clean profile”, stressing that he is not linked to any separatist or terrorist organization.
“At this juncture, I like to declare unequivocally that One Nigeria Group’s choice is the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. While we need to get ready to cast our votes for him in an overwhelming magnitude, we also urge everybody here today and all Nigerians to tread this path of hope for good governance that we have all been aspiring for,” he stated.
“The justifications for our endorsement of Atiku are multitudinous, out of which I would like to mention a few.
“He has never been accused of sectionalism nor being a member of any secessionist group or movement. Neither has he been accused of being a sponsor of any militia group such as banditry, Boko Haram, ISWAP, etc. He has never been accused of being a proponent of ethnic rivalry, tribalism, or nepotism. This spirit of patriotism portrays him as a nationalist, statesman, and unifier.
“It is a testament that the blood of peace, unity, and progress of this nation flows in his veins. It is against this background that we unreservedly declare our support for him to become the next president of this country.”
Alhaji Hassan noted that the five-point agenda of the PDP candidate that borders on unity, security, economy, education as well as devolving more resources to the federating units speaks volumes as they are geared towards nation-building as well as the well-being and fulfillment of the populace.
While describing the Atiku/Okowa synergy as the best option for Nigeria’s unification and emancipation, Alhaji Hassan maintained that Atiku’s outing, which is the sixth time, “is a sincere demonstration of doggedness, determination, and commitment to serving the nation for good, but not for any pecuniary motive.”
The group, therefore, urged Nigerians to come out en mass and vote for Atiku Abubakar in the presidential election, expressing confidence that if elected the former Vice President would restructure the country and engender a credible and people-oriented governance, following his wealth of experience and exposure in both political and economic firmaments.
Other speakers at the event include Comrade Oche Jimmy,
CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR CHANGE, Comrade Johnson kolawole Micheal, COALITION FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE, Comrade Augustine Tony, REBIRTH NIGERIA ACTION CONGRESS, and Comrade Adamu Kabir Matazu, President, Arewa Youth Federation (AYF).
All the speakers harped on Atiku’s leadership qualities and the need for Nigerians to vote for him as the next president of the country.
