Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has said that the party is the only subsisting political entity in the country so far.
According to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which misrule has almost drowned the country is a caucus of political parties will soon be extinct after the 2023 general elections.
Atiku made the assertions when his presidential campaign council inaugurated its National Youth Campaign Council (PDP-NYCC) in Abuja on Thursday.
“To be honest, PDP is the only political party in the country today. The APC is only a coalition. We will vote them out. By the time we vote them out, they will be dead,” he told the youths.
“PDP,” he assured, “will give level playing ground to all the youths in the country irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds. No matter your background the PDP will help you realize your aspirations.
“Even if Atiku goes, another Atiku will come,” the former Vice President said, charging the PDP-NYCC to spread out around the country and “mobilize youth.”
“Give them hope- hope that hope isn’t lost in this country despite the poor outing of the APC. Take this job seriously. It is about your future, your family and the country.”
Indicating that the council may be expanded in the not too distant future, Alhaji Abubakar asked it to identify more “promising young men,” to help in running its affairs.
While congratulating the group for its inauguration, he said “the PDP is making history for being the first to inaugurate its youth campaign council, just as it has been the first in beginning electioneering campaign, while it has succeeded in laying the ground for a sustained democracy in the country.”
“It has a legacy to be proud of; and I charge you with the responsibility of carrying its message to the nooks and crannies; as well as the constituencies of this country.
“The message is also that of democracy, for which many of us made sacrifices, even that of lives, to make this (inauguration) possible. This youth campaign council is another step towards deepening democracy.
“I, therefore, charge you to work to save that by mobilizing all Nigerians, particularly, supporters of the PDP, “ he emphasized.
Inaugurating the council, the national chairman of the PDP, Prof. Iyorchia Ayu, represented by his deputy in charge of the North, Amb. Umar Ilyas Damagum, said “the future of Nigerians depends on the youth, because nations are built through teeming youths.”
In his remarks, Atiku’s running mate, who is the incumbent Governor of Delta state, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, said “there is a great future for the youth under the envisaged leadership of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.”
Also, in his welcome address, the Director General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization (APCO), Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state called on the youths to rise up and save the country from total collapse.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the council, the director youths and students mobilization, who is also the national youth leader of the PDP, Muhammad Suleiman Kadade said the inauguration is “a great opportunity and honor for us to take up this responsibility. We must not rest on our oars until Atiku is elected and sworn-in. We must all return to the grassroots for a vigorous campaign.”
Led by Kadade and Comrade Timothy Osadolor, who will deputize for him, the PDP-NYCC has as its grand patron the Governor-elect of Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke whose deputies are: Comrade Philip Shuaibu, the deputy Governor of Edo state and Barrister Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, former deputy Governor of Zamfara state.
The zonal leaders of the council are Egwu Chidebere (south-east), Ineye Owonaro (south-south), Seyi Bamidele (south-west), Hamidu Hamman-Diko (north-east), Ismaila Aruwa (north-central) and Hon. Bashar Isah Jabo (north-west).
