The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, said he and his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, were not contesting for Presidency out of desperation for power but to unite the country, tackle insecurity and save the nation’s economy from total collapse.
Atiku, represented by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, stated this during his endorsement by the Council of National Students Presidents of Nigeria.
The CNSPN is an organisation which membership cuts across the National Association of University Students, Post-Graduate Students Association of Nigeria, National Association of Polytechnic Students and National Association of Colleges of Agriculture Students.
Dogara said, “They (Atiku and Okowa) asked me to come and appreciate you for the faith you have 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, they will ensure that they deliver on their promises to this great country.”
Speaking in his personal capacity, Dogara commended the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for his policy on naira redesign, saying it would checkmate vote-buying and enhance credible elections.
“Whatever pains we are passing through in relation to the naira redesign policy, I urge that you 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.
Earlier, the Chairman of CNSPN, Obaji Marshal, said the group had examined the PDP manifesto and was convinced about their good intentions for the country.
He said, “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 has come to the conclusion that the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party, which carries the Atiku/Okowa tickets is the most reliable, realisable.” (Punch)
