Atiku silent on second term, assures Ndigbos of support after tenure

Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has assured the South-east of his support of a president of Igbo extraction after he might have completed his tenure if elected President in 2023.

Atiku who was silent on whether he will go for a single term or two terms gave the assurance on Tuesday while addressing the South-east zonal stakeholders meeting in Enugu on Tuesday.

The former Vice President harped on his longstanding relationship with Ndigbo which transcended politics and included filial relationship.

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“I have three Igbo children and I am saying this for the very first time in public. So, my relationship with Ndigbo did not start today,” Atiku said.

On the political front, he said, “I’ve had close relationship with the Igbos and this influenced my choices of Senator Ben Obi and Mr. Peter Obi as my running mates in my two previous outings as presidential candidate. Again, I have chosen another great Igbo here (Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa) for the third time as my running mate.”

The PDP candidate, who insisted that he would win the 2023 presidential poll, said his great relationship with the Igbos would continue until they assume the presidency after his tenure.

He vowed to prioritise developmental projects in teh Southeast and other regions when elected, saying that any project in any State is a favour to Nigeria.

While promising to prioritise projects in Southeast, Atiku took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration for segregating some parts of the country with the paucity of projects.

“The second Niger Bridge in Onitsha is not a favour to the Southeast, rather it is or should be seen as a favour to Nigeria. This is because it is not only the people of the Southeast that use the bridge,” Atiku said.

He also expressed concern over the ongoing sit-at-home in the region which he said had dealt a big blow to the economy of the region and the country at large, calling on elders in the region to speak out against it.

He said his administration would pay close attention to tackling insecurity, economic and other challenges bedeviling the country.