Put your destiny in your own hands, Atiku urges Lagos residents

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, implored residents of Lagos State on Monday to take their destiny into their own hands by voting for the party in the 2023 general elections.

Abubakar, who made this remark at the flag-off of the PDP Presidential Rally at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, said that it was poised to install the people's government as against "family government," which has been practiced in the state since 1999.

The former vice president, who claimed that most of the notable infrastructure in the state was built by the previous federal governments and not the ruling APC, urged the electorate to vote PDP because of their future and that of the country.

"It is time for you, the people of Lagos, to liberate yourself from a family government and join the people's government, which is to be led by "Jandor,"  the Lagos State PDP Governorship Candidate.

"For the people of Lagos, it is high time you took your destiny into your own hands for your own future."

"It is right, and it is your duty to take back that governance and hand it over to yourselves." "That is what the PDP is out for," Abubakar said.

The PDP candidate said if elected president in the 2023 general elections, his team would revamp the economy, strengthen security, and restructure the country to position it on the path of sustainable growth and development.

"On my own hand, if you elect me as your president, I said and I mean it, by the grace of God, I am going to set aside $10 billion so that we can empower our young men and women in small and medium enterprises.

"People were asking me where I would get $10 billion. If I privatize Port Harcourt refinery, Warri refinery, and Kaduna refinery, I am going to get the money.

"Let me also promise you that if you elect a PDP government, we are going to restructure this country." We will give your states and local governments more powers and resources. It is up to you to hold them responsible."

In his remarks, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, urged party leaders and members to go out en mass and campaign for Abubakar, "for it to be well with Nigeria".

Speaking, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Chairman of the Atiku Abubakar/Ifeanyi Okowa Presidential Campaign Council said that the PDP's administration would make Nigeria's economy bounce back.

"Atiku will restore the economy and bring back the lost glory of Lagos." "We want a Nigeria that works for everybody, not only the rich but also the poor," Emmanuel said.

The PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, said that the PDP had truly brought hope to Nigeria, saying, "Lagos is going to be liberated." We are going to liberate Lagos.

"Liberating Lagos is liberating Nigeria." Today, we have brought you hope and a man who is ready to liberate Lagos. "With the president of the PDP, we will make sure life is better for all," he said.

The wife of the PDP presidential candidate, Mrs. Titi Abubakar, who commended the women and youths for defying the sun to attend the rally, said that Nigerians should use their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to show that they were tired of suffering.

Stressing that it would not be easy to wrestle power from APC, Mrs Abubakar urged the people to show resilience and determination.

Atiku Abubakar has come to rescue Nigeria. Atiku has come to save Nigerians from the bonds of poverty and hardship. "If you can vote for Atiku Abubakar, your sufferings will be over," she said.

Supreme reports that thousands of PDP supporters and groups dressed in various campaign clothes, T-shirts, and caps of different colors were busy blowing trumpets, displaying umbrellas, hoisting flags, and other symbols of the party under the scorching sun to demonstrate support for Abubakar.

Popular Fuji star, Saheed Osupa, entertained supporters in a live play at the event to the admiration of all.

There was tight security at the venue of the campaign as security agencies and ad hoc security personnel were strategically situated at the different points of entries.

At the event were members of the PDP Board of Trustees, National Working Committee, PDP State Executive Councils and governors.

Others in attendance were the party's candidates for various positions, former governors, National Assembly members and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara.