Mammoth crowd, on Monday, received former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who returned to the state for the first time since his emergence as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.
His arrival was preceded by that of his running mate and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was received by his Adamawa State counterpart, Ahmadu Fintiri, and other top government functionaries.
At the Mahmud Ribadu Square where PDP supporters converged to welcome him, Atiku thanked them for their support over the course of his 32 years in active politics.
The former vice president, who explained that he would not want to breach the ban on campaigns, asked supporters of the party, to do him the favour of re-electing Fintiri, who is seeking a second term in office.
Explaining that the visit was meant to receive defectors who are joining the PDP from the All Progressives Congress, Atiku said the re-election of Fintiri, who he praised for his performance in office, was in the best interest of her citizens.
He said, “Let me also use this opportunity to thank, you all of for your support in my political career. In this state, you have always voted for me and I am not taking that for granted. I thank you. I thank you. And I thank you eternally.
“I appeal to you, this governor, (lifting Fintiri’s hands) no matter what you may say about him, has done well. So, I will like to appeal to you to vote for him. You will make it easier for me, to also support you and also help the state if elected President.”
The national chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, who received two APC state legislators who defected into the party, and 10,000 other defectors from other political parties, commended them.
Earlier, Fintiri said he has delivered on his campaign promises while pledging to do everything humanly possible to retain the state under PDP control and by ensuring victory of all her candidates in the polls.
