The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to give his party “another opportunity” during the 2023 elections.
Atiku said the country enjoyed its “greatest growth” when the PDP was in power for 16 years.
The PDP standard bearer spoke on Tuesday when he visited the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun state.
“You’ll all recall that from 1999 to 2015, Nigeria witnessed its greatest growth, biggest prosperity and peaceful coexistence during the PDP era,” he said.
“We believe it is time for you, the people of this country to give us another opportunity again so that we can restore the unity of this country.
“So that we can secure this country again, make the nation more prosperous than any other country in the continent of Africa.
“If the mandate is given to PDP, the unity, peace and stability will be achieved across the nation which will lead to government of national unity.”
Atiku also reiterated his plan to restructure the country if elected president, noting that it is the only way to guarantee growth and progress.
“It is only when we have peaceful coexistence in the country unity that we’ll be able to undertake most of our cardinal programmes,” he said.
“And one of our cardinal programmes that we promise people of this country is to restructure this nation, some people are saying that how can a northerner restructure this country.
“But let me take you to this memory lane that Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, late Murtala Mohammed, they all achieved their plans of restructuring this country.”
Atiku added that his administration will ensure that power is devolved to states, local government councils and traditional rulers.
“We’ll also ensure that national assembly amend the constitution to give power to all traditional rulers,” he said.
“I’ve not come here in this palace to campaign but I am here to give respect to your Royal Highness.”
