Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has assured that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be strengthened to take over power in 2023 from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abubakar spoke at the Government House, Benin, Edo State, when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Godwin Obaseki of the PDP on Tuesday.
The former vice-president, according to a Government House’s statement, noted his meeting with Obaseki centered on governance, current issues in the country and how to strengthen the PDP.
Obaseki hailed Atiku for his contributions to the advancement of democracy.
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He said: “I cannot thank you enough for the leadership that you continue to provide; the counsel you gave me during my electioneering, the private conversations, and the assistance you rendered to me when we joined the party.
“We had challenges, but you stepped up and threw your weight behind the resolution of the issues.”
It was earlier reported that, the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says Nigerians are waiting eagerly for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take over power at the federal level in 2023.
Speaking to journalists at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday, Alhaji Atiku said his meeting with Gov Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was fruitful.
Atiku explained that party affairs brought him to Port Harcourt, and he had spent the time reconciling touching issues with Governor Wike.
According to him, the issues bother on how to ensure unity and stability in the PDP that are critical for the party in clinching electoral victory in 2023.
“Well, I came here to reconcile with the governor on party affairs and how we can ensure that there is unity and stability in the party.
“So, that we can take over government in 2023. I believe that Nigerians can’t wait for 2023 to come, so that PDP will return.”
Speaking on the current insecurity challenges that have overwhelmed the capability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government, Atiku described the prevailing situation in the country as bad.
He urged Nigerians to wait for the appropriate time when PDP shall unveil its policies on how it wants to address the issue of insecurity across the country.
“I have never seen it (insecurity) this bad. I am 70 years plus, I have never seen it this bad in terms of security challenges, in terms of economy, in terms of unemployment. This is the worst.
“Why can’t you give us time. We will come up with our policies. We will present them to Nigerians when the time comes.
“We have done that before. Under PDP, we recorded the highest economic growth, the best foreign reserves, we reduced unemployment. You know that we can do it?
The former vice president also acknowledged the tremendous leadership success recorded by governor Wike, who he described as a topmost governor among his peers in the party.
“I think he (Wike) is the topmost governor we have in the party. There is no doubt about that in terms of projects, youths and employment, in terms of security. Yes, we have security challenges all over the country.”
He further commended the governor for his outstanding leadership and sterling performance in office.
