Former Vice president and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate for the 2023 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday, recieved his Certificate of Return with the message of hope for Nigerians suffering under the present leadership.
Speaking shortly after receiving his certificate of Return as the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Atiku said his victory was for the suffering masses who have been skinned to death through abject poverty, injustice, insecurity and eight years of hopelessness.
The PDP presidential candidate commended the party’s National Working Committee,NWC, for transforming the Secretariat of the party and said it’s an indicative of the fact that PDP would transform Nigeria.
Atiku said he is honored and humbled to receive his certificate of Return having emerged as the party’s candidate in the just concluded special convention.
According to him, his victory is a victory for all of the PDP members, for the party, and for the vast majority of Nigerians suffering under the misrule of the APC, adding that it was a collective effort, and that he was very grateful for everybody’s efforts.
He thanked the organizing committee for the convention under the leadership of Senator David Mark for putting together a rancor-free and successful convention, while adjudging it the best.
He also commended the National Working Committee of PDP led by the National chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu for the excellent way he steered the affairs of the party including overseeing the most successful convention.
“So let me commend the National Working Committee for transforming this place into a decent and beautiful place. This is a clear evidence that, if we have a new PDP government, we will transform this country.
“When I came here in April and informed the National Working Committee of my intention o offer myself for consideration as the flag bearer of our great party, the People’s Democratic Party in the forthcoming election. I was very well and warmly received.
“The NWC assured me that it would be fair and will provide every aspirant a level playing field. I was also assured that once a candidate emerged from our primary election, you will all support that candidate and work very hard to ensure our victory in the presidential election.
“And of course, the governorship election across the country. I am honored and humbled to receive this certificate of Return haven emerged as our party’s candidate in our just concluded special convention.
“This victory is a victory for all of us, for our party, and for the vast majority of Nigerians suffering under the misrule of the APC. It was a collective effort, and I’m very grateful for everybody’s contributions.
“Let me first thank the organizing committee for the convention under the leadership of the rock solid Senator David Mark for putting together a rancor free and successful convention, believe me it was the best.
“I want to thank the National Working Committee of our Party, led by the National chairman the infallible Senator Iyorchia Ayu for the excellent way that he has steered the affairs of this party including overseeing the most successful convention.
“I am particularly grateful that you kept your word and gave us contestants fair treatment, despite what might have been a difficult situation.
“Your integrity and even handedness must be commended I commend our party’s National Executive Committee for putting our party and our country first in its deliberations and decision making process.
” I thank all those who assisted my campaign in a variety of ways to enable me to criss cross this vast country and make my case for our delegates and other party elders and members.
“To all those who volunteer their time to help with organizing the convention, as well as the security personnel and agencies who ensured that the event was successful, I say thank you very much indeed.
“I also thank my family, for putting up with my demands and the disruption this quest to serve obviously brought about.
“My chairman, my dear friends, while I’m excited and happy for this opportunity to bear our party’s flag again. Let us all remember that what just happened is a contest within a family to decide how to put our best foot forward. The main contest is the one to win the presidency of our country for our party.
“It will require the entire PDP family and other supporters and sympathizers. We must pull everyone together. Nobody should be excluded, I beg of you. I have already visited some of those who contested against me, as a way to lead in that effort to unify the party so that we can face our real opponents, defeat them in the elections and begin the process of rescuing and rebuilding this country from the calours and dangerous APC misrule over the past seven years which is there for everyone to see.
“However, we should not take that or their defeat for granted. We must unite and work extremely hard for every single vote in this country. There is so much to do. And there is very little time to waste. So let’s get to work. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much indeed.” He stated.
