THE presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar said, on Tuesday, that he and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, were not contesting for the highest office in the land out of hunger for power.
According to him, they are in the presidential race to unite the people, tackle insecurity and revamp the country’s economy with a view to improving a lot of masses this time around.
He spoke in Abuja on Tuesday when the Council of National Students Presidents of Nigeria (CNSPN) endorsed him ahead of this Saturday’s presidential election.
CNSPN is a body made up of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), the PostGraduate Students Association of Nigeria (PSAN), the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) and the National Association of Colleges of Agriculture Students (NACAS).
Represented by the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, the PDP presidential standard bearer, said: “They (Atiku/Okowa) asked me to come and appreciate you for the faith in them and to remind you that they are not running because they are hungry for political offices.
“They are running because they believe they have been tried and tested and proven that what is delivered in their hands does not shake and the destiny of this country will become steadied and stabilised.
“They are more determined, seeing that Nigeria has been left behind on starting blocks of the race, they will ensure that they deliver the promise of this great country.”
Speaking in his personal capacity, Dogara hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s policy on the Naira redesign.
According to him, the Naira redesign will checkmate vote buying and enhance credible elections and asked Nigerians to endure the temporal pains as the gains would be great.
“Whatever pains we are passing through in relation to the Naira redesign policy, some of us may not have the cash but I urge you that consider this pain as part of the sacrifice that will give us a transparent election in which we will elect a leader that we deserve,” he said.
Also speaking, the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Philip Aduda said: “Our incoming President Atiku is an educationist, somebody who has a university, his university has never been on strike, he is somebody who is tested and trusted.”
Earlier, the Chairman of CNSPN, Obaji Uchenna Marshal after their examination, the working document of the PDP is the only document that goes beyond making political promises to actually providing blueprint on how to have those promises achieved.
He said: “It is pertinent to note that, more than ever before, students are paying genuine attention to the processes of electing leaders that will see over the affairs of governance of this country for the next four(4) years, hence our unwavering commitment to be part of the process by exercising our constitutional franchise.
“On this note of the foregoing and sequel to the above, the CNSPN has taken her time to follow all the Frontline Candidates closely, gone through their Policy working documents(Manifestos) and after keen scrutiny, the CNSPN have come to the conclusion that the manifesto of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which carries the Atiku/Okowa tickets is the most reliable, realizable.
“The are only ones that provide answers to Nigeria’s quests and above all, the most educationally friendly, the working document of the PDP is the only document that goes beyond making political promises to actually providing blue print on how to have these promises achieved.
“These promises have drawn our interest and its anchored on the following:To restore Nigeria’s unity and social justice and to also build consensus amongst Nigerians irrespective of Tribe and Religion.
To establish a strong and effective democratic system that will guarantee the security of the lives and properties of all Nigerians.
“To build a strong, resilient and prosperous economy, that will create jobs and generate wealth that will lift the people out of poverty. To promote a true federal system that will provide for a strong federal government that will guarantee national unity and devoid of Power at the Central.
“To improve and strengthen the Nigerian educational system so as to equip Nigerian graduates with requisite competency to compete with their contemporary within global space, this new order is driven by innovations, science and technology. To Restructure Nigeria and bring Governance close to the grassroots and to enable Regions and State Controls their Resources
“Based on this premise and on our conviction, that it will work best for Nigerian, CNSPN, after our National Executives Council Meeting has resolved, adopted and worked Vigorously for the success of the Atiku/Okowa ticket comes February 25th Presidential Election, we have passed circular urging all students under our umbrella to come out, vote and also work to ensure victory. We are fully behind the Rescue Team of the PDP.”
