Supporters of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the February 25 election, marched on the streets of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.
Led by Jumoke Akinjidie, a former Minister, the supporters staged a ‘Freedom Walk For Atiku’.
Governor Seyi Makinde is among the aggrieved party chieftains who pulled out of the campaign of Atiku and demanded the resignation of the National Chairman of the Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
Since Atiku flagged off his campaign in September, none of the G-5 governors who were all elected on the platform of the PDP has attended.
PDP crisis: How G-5 alliance may affect Makinde’s second-term bid
I, Makinde, Ortom, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi are bedrock of PDP – Wike
But on Wednesday, the National Mandate Group, Oyo chapter which comprises Party Stalwarts, Youths, Women and mobilizers from across the state were seen on major streets in Ibadan metropolis marching with banners campaigning for Atiku.
Aside Akinjide, Elder Wole Oyelese, Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alh. Azeem Gbolarumi, Former Deputy Governor, Oyo state, Engr. Jide Adeniji, Director Special Duty, PCC, Engr. Femi Babalola (Jogor), PDP, were among key party chieftains at the rally.
Speaking with newsmen, Akinjide said Atiku is a Pan-Nigerian and one who will lead the country out of its current Socio-economic and political challenges.
“We will campaign for Atiku in Oyo on the basis of merit and on the basis of fidelity to our great party. There’s really no divide in the PDP. It is a fight for space. So, I don’t think the public should worry themselves because the day they make up, they’d be on Television smiling and back slapping and calling each other brother and you wonder why you wasted so much energy on it.
“Let us face what is of concern to 200 million Nigerians which is the Five Points agenda to recover and restore Nigeria which Atiku is proposing.
“Our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar is promising to Unite Nigeria, secure the country, build a prosperous economy, restructure and devolve power to the federating units, education system that allows our people to compete nationally and globally and these are core issues that are of interest to the Nigerian People”.
Akinjide asked members of the PDP to ignore the visitors that will be coming to Oyo “to poison the minds of the people against the party’s presidential candidate”.
“Tomorrow, we will be having the Governor’s own rally and inauguration. All of us intend to be there as well, but I want to say something: If some of tomorrow’s visitors come and speak against PDP or Atiku, what are we going to say? No to their antics! We are brave people and we must demonstrate that tomorrow,” she said.
G-5 is set to storm Oyo for the reelection campaign of Makinde.
