Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, a PDP stalwart in Lagos State, says the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as PDP’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections is a blessing for Nigeria.
Abubakar polled 371 votes to emerge as PDP’s presidential candidate at the party’s primary election held in Abuja on Saturday.
He defeated Rivers’ Gov. Nyesom Wike, who polled 237 votes; Akwa Ibom’s Gov. Udom Emmanuel who polled 38 votes and Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State who polled 20 votes.
Two former senate presidents, Bukola Saraki who polled 70 votes and Anyim Pius Anyim, who got 14 votes, were among those who lost to Abubakar at the primary election.
Reacting to Abubakar’s victory, Pearse, the Convener of Reset Lagos PDP, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the candidate has the potential to reverse Nigeria’s social, economic, and infrastructure decay.
“Given his performance as vice-president in the Obasanjo administration, Nigerians have good reasons to believe that Abubakar will usher in a new era, characterised by economic development, increased security, equity and justice.
“He has never demonstrated negative tendencies of tribalism, religious bigotry and economic illiteracy.
“He vowed to bring relief to the people and rescue the country from collapsing if Nigerians vote him in as president in 2023, and he will deliver of the promise,’’ Pearse said.
He noted that Abubakar had sympathised with Nigerians and promised to fight poverty, unemployment, homelessness, hunger and threat to life and property and discrimination. (NAN)