A former vice president of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday received about 160,000 decampees from the All Progressives Congress, APC to the PDP at the Ribadu Square in Yola, Adamawa State.
Leading party leaders, including former vice president Namadi Sambo, the vice presidential candidate and governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Adamawa State Ahmadu Fintiri and national chairman of PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, Mr Abubakar welcomed the decampees and promised to work with them.
“I have been serving the people since I joined politics 30 years ago and that is my promise to you all today. I believe that Governor Fintiri has done a good job and that we should join hands to make sure he wins his second term election,” Mr Abubakar said.
In his remark, Mr Ayu said that the rate of defection from the APC to the PDP is increasing by the day.
He said the frequent defections indicate that the opposition party is waxing stronger.
“It is clear everywhere that the PDP is back. Today, we are here to take in new members into the PDP. Very soon, this venue shall be hosting the President of Nigeria who is your very own son.
“I welcome the new entrants to our party and I therefore hand them over to Governor Fintiri. I urge the governor to continue with his good work in making Adamawa better than he met it,” Ayu said.
Speaking on behalf of the supporters and over 160,000 decampees in various electoral wards across the state, Shuaibu Babbas, a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly from Fufore Gurin constituency affirmed their loyalty and commitment to the PDP in its quest to oust the APC and fix the broken state of the country’s socio-economic and political fabrics.
Earlier on arrival at the Yola International Airport where he was received to a rousing welcome, Mr Abubakar had proceeded to the palace of the Lamido Adamawa, Aliyu Musdafa, on a courtesy visit.
It is the first time that the presidential standard bearer will be visiting his home state after the presidential primaries election of the PDP.
In his remarks at the Lamido’s palace, Mr Abubakar said that his presentation to the Lamido as the presidential candidate of the PDP gives him a sense of nostalgia because his political career would not have attained this mark but for the prayers and support that he enjoys from the Lamido, his palace and the entire state.
“I am an ambassador of this palace, Adamawa State and Nigeria. I am appreciative of the reception I received today which is historic and I am promising you that I will represent you and the entire Nigeria well in the assignment ahead of me as your worthy son”.
In his response, the Lamido said that he was pleased and proud to welcome Mr Abubakar home after his emergence as the presidential candidate of a major political party.
“Your triumph is not just a victory for this Emirate but the country at large as we continue to provide good leadership. I will implore you to use your experience in the task ahead of you. As a detribalized Nigerian, I am confident of your capacity to lead the nation. Your investment in human capital development is a good example of your contribution to society. I pray that the Almighty remains with you as you strive to become the next president of this country.”
