From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Ahead of the February 25 presidential election, the Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations has resolved to adopt the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its choice after President Muhammadu Buhari.
Addressing reporters at the popular Arewa House, Kaduna, on Wednesday, the convener, Murtala Abubakar said the choice of groups that formed the Committee was premised on Atiku’s vast knowledge of Nigerian political, economical, and geographical spaces having served as vice president for eight years in a roll.
According to this group, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been on the ballot as presidential candidate twice and the next election in a few days would be the third.
“In 2007, Atiku came third after Late Umaru Musa Yar’dua and Muhammadu Buhari. In 2019, Atiku came second with over 11 million votes after Buhari with about 15 million votes,” he stated.
“Now Atiku is not just on the ballot, but he is the leading candidate. Of all the 18 presidential candidates who would be on the ballot come Saturday 25th February 2023 all things being equalled as assured by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), none is compared to Atiku by many standards.
“For instance, none has been in politics and ran for offices like Atiku. None but Atiku has occupied the number two position of Vice President of Nigeria for 8 years. None of them knows Nigeria like Atiku.
“None can boast of having biological family ties across Nigeria like Atiku. None have built political bridges across Nigeria and beyond like Atiku. Atiku is not going to rely on anyone or groups to teach him how to lead Nigeria.
“Atiku knows, understands, and appreciates Nigeria and Nigerians just as he knows, understands, and appreciates his loving family. Nigeria is Atiku’s family.
“As a result of these and more, that time and space will not allow us to say here, we hereby, on behalf of our members cutting across all the states and the FCT, endorse/adopt Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential Candidate for the 2023 polls and by the grace of God, next president of Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buhari.
“With this endorsement, we are assuring all Nigerians, especially southerners that when Atiku is elected and sworn to office, which Nigerians would do on Saturday peacefully, we would hold his legs to the fire and ensure he remains the leader for all we have known him to be.
“We assure all that Atiku will not let them down. We promise as we want you to hold us responsible for this promise”, the group added.