Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has tasked electorates to come out enmasse, vote and defend their ballot in Saturday’s governorship election in the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States, adding that the elections are about the people and not any political godfather.
Atiku, who noted that these are the first set of polls to take place after the 2023 general elections, said defeating anti-democratic elements in the polity cannot be successful if voters refuse to go out en-mass to cast ballots on election day.
He said the shortcomings of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who “walked back on the promise of transparency in the last general elections,” is not enough reason for the electorate to give up on democracy.
Atiku, who also urged voters to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates described the party’s flag bearers namely Governor Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo), and Senator Dino Melaye as formidable candidates.
The PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election in a message to voters in those states, described of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in those states as stooges of some godfathers within or outside of those states.
The governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states are scheduled to take place this Saturday, November 11.
Atiku said “Although there is a groundswell of dissatisfaction and resentment about how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) walked back on the promise of transparency in the last general elections, but that shortcoming is not enough reason for us to give up on democracy.”
He continued, “And, that is why, I am appealing to the good people of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to come out in large numbers this Saturday to vote for the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party in those respective elections.
“In Bayelsa State, Governor Duoye Diri has given a good account of himself as a leader who is directly responsible to the people. His giant strides in the areas of infrastructure and social development speak volumes about how his government has been able to touch the lives of the people positively.
“In Kogi, Senator Dino Melaye has shown great capacity to stand on the side of the people and, by so doing, using every opportunity available to him to drive speedy development to his constituents.
Electing him governor will afford him a bigger platform to do even more.
“In Imo State, too, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu has a rich profile of a political leader who is not only in touch with the grassroots, but is committed to protecting the interests of his constituents Senator Anyanwu is a political leader who I believe has what it takes to take Imo State to higher pedestal in good governance.”
He said while PDP has put forth visionary leaders whose main objective is to serve the people, it is a different story with the APC.
“The elections this Saturday are absolutely about the people. It is absolutely not about any political godfather.
“That is why it is important for the people of Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi state to come out in large numbers to vote for the PDP and to reject the APC that has brought us untold hardship and misery.
“These elections are more about the fortunes of the common people, and it is my firm belief that when the people vote and stand to protect their votes, democracy wins.
“When democracy wins, the people invariably win,” he said.
