Presidential Aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday took turns to woo aspirants for support at the ongoing National Convention.
The aspirants during a five minutes speech at the Abuja Velodrome disclosed to the delegates why they should be elected to flag the party’s flag in 2023.
In his speech, former Senate President Sen. Pius Anyim while welcoming the delegates to the Special Convention venue also congratulated the party for organizing what he described as a colourful and ordered convention.
He said “the challenge before our party for which we stand in this convention to seek solution on how the PDP will deliver on the expectations of Nigerians . Nigerians expect PDP to return and provide leadership. Nigerians expect our party to return to power and create jobs, Nigerians expect our party to return to power and end insecurity . Nigeria is a country in search of nation. The choice for that search starts with this convention.
“If you vote me in, I will end that search to rebuild the nation and reposition the country in the of nations”.
He asked delegates to give him the opportunity to rebuild the nation and reposition it for prosperity.
Also speaking, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state said, “This is a moment that will determine where our party goes where Nigeria goes.
He said that the thump printing of the delegates will define the next generation, that is where our party goes, that is where Nigeria goes.
He said that he is a man with creativity, integrity and sincerity of purpose to provide solution to insecurity, rebuild the economy, turn around unemployment, and end poverty.
He said that “a vote for Udom Emmanuel is that vote that will take the country to where it is going.
“What Nigeria needs is what I am going to provide for you” he assured.
In his Speech, Ayo Fayose who was the former governor of Ekiti state recounted that he had defeated two incumbent governors in the past, boasting that if given the opportunity, he will defeat President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC.
He said that Buhari and his party has nothing to offer Nigerians. He said that PDP should be in the bigger picture and assured that if given the opportunity, he will he will transform the economy.
Also making his appeal, Chikwendu Kalu said, “Nigeria is in darkness and the only way to defeat darkness is to introduce light”. He said that he has character, intellectual capacity and experience to rule the country.
“Today is a very important day and delegates have a moral burden to take a very important decision and present to Nigerians a candidate that will transform the country”. He appealed to the aspirants to vote for him so that he will do the needful.
Bauchi state governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed challenged the delegates to realize that they are on the threshold of history.
“You are representing 200 million Nigerians. I have that requisite experience to lead the country, having handled all the sensitive offices in this country. I was prepared in the job”. He said that he understand the problems if the country and will hit the ground running in providing solutions.
He said, “Nigerians need to close ranks, I will rejig the economy, solve insecurity” He argued that the most important task before the delegates is to elect someone with capacity, who can turn the country around. He reminded them that they needed to elect a candidate who will not only become the candidate of the party but also win the election claiming that he has the capacity to do all that.
On his part, publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu said that all lot or people fell on the road in the path to getting to the convention but he has remained there.
He said that we would like to develop the education sector which is very key to the economy because most of the problems in the country is rooted in lack of education. He said that he will be able to reunite the country, create jobs, create wealth and that he has the global contact to transform the country.
Also in his speech, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa said that he will ensure Nigeria becomes an investment haven that will create business, jobs, wealth which will drive away poverty.
He said that delegates shouldd vote for a candidate to turn the country around and build economy and attract foreign exchange. He asked delegates to look at the future of Nigeria and vote for a new candidate that will build a new country, introduce the culture of accountability which will make Nigeria the future and face of Africa.
The lone female aspirant, Tarela Oliver who also addressed the delegates said that it is the time to take the power back to the local government and to the grassroot. She said, “taking power back to the local government, Nigeria will be secured, there will be power, children will be in school”.
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki said that he is the bridge between the young and old, Christians and Muslims, North and South.
He said that he has the capacity, boldness and experience required now the lead the country.
The governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal also told the delegates that his legislative and executive experience stands him out above other aspirants.
The accredited delegates are 767: Abia 17, Akwa Ibom 31, Anambra 20, Bauchi 20, Bayelsa 8, Borno 26, Benue 23, Cross River 18, Delta 25, Ebonyi 13.
Other states include: Edo 18, Ekiti 16, Enugu 17, FCT 6, Gombe 11, Imo 24, Jigawa 27, Kwara 16, Kogi 21, Kaduna 23, Katsina 34, Kano 43, Kebbi 21, Niger 25, Nasarawa 13, Ogun 19, Ondo 18, Osun 30, Oyo 33, Rivers 23, Sokoto 22, Taraba 16, Yobe 17, Zamfara 12, Lagos 20.
