Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva yesterday said there must be change in 2015 as Nigerians have become fed up with the ruling PDP.
They spoke at a rally in Yola, Adamawa State, organised to formally receive Abubakar into the All Progressives Congress (APC), following his defection on Sunday from the People’s Democratic Party.
Abubakar said in 2015 power has to shift from “retrogressive” elements to the “progressives” who he said were determined to change the course of the nation.
“Change is coming to Nigeria and it is a must. The ouster of PDP from power is imminent and only a matter of time. Nigerians are fed up and will send them packing in 2015,” the former vice president said.
“If you see me, Baba Mai Mangoro (referring to Governor Murtala Nyako) and other stakeholders you know change is coming to Nigeria.”
Abubakar’s formal defection yesterday marked a return to the fold of associates in the defunct Action Congress (AC) which he joined in late 2006 and became its presidential candidate in the 2007 elections. AC later transformed into the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and merged last year with other parties to form the APC.
The 67-year-old former vice president did not speak yesterday on if he has any political ambitions, but simply said people would hear from him whenever campaign commenced. He urged supporters to participate in the forth-coming membership registration of the APC to make it easier for the party to dislodge the ruling party.
In his speech, Sylva said the Niger Delta people were not happy with the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan, who hailed from that zone, and were willing to cooperate in trying to vote him out of office.
“I was here with other governors in 2011 to pray for the North to vote for our son. I am here again on behalf of the people of the South-South to apologise to you for bringing in bad product,” he said.
“I am here to apologise to the people of Adamawa because our son whom you voted for has not performed and the country is fast sinking under his misrule.”
He added: “Niger Delta has sent me to tell you that we are ready to join hands with you to chase out this regime of impunity promoted by our son. We will join hands with you to salvage our great country.”
Former Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu also spoke at the rally, saying: “I welcome my friend Atiku Abubakar back home to the house which he contributed in building. With the coming of Atiku into APC, the ‘Poverty Development Party’ is on the brink of death.”
He added: “The strength of the APC is in the hands of every Nigerian. Together we will bury the lies, the corruption, and the filth of the PDP. Let us celebrate our success, so we can rebuild Nigeria together.”
Governor Nyako described the coming of Abubakar as a new beginning in the party’s drive towards providing a formidable alternative for Nigerians.
“We receive our senior brother in politics who has joined us today in the funeral prayers of the PDP and we his followers are saying ‘amen’ as we begin the process of burying the party for good,” he said.
Senior party chieftain Audu Ogbeh, who is a former PDP chairman, said the number one priority for the APC would be to create jobs for the youths so as to secure their future.
The event, held at the Ribadu Square in Jimeta, was attended by APC interim national chairman Bisi Akande, former EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu, Senator Muhammed Danjuma Goje, Senator Ahmad Sani Yarima, former Borno Governor Ali Sheriff, retired General Mohammed Buba Marwa, Alhaji Muhammadu Koiranga Jada and one-time governorship candidate Marcus Gundiri.
But former head of state Muhammadu Buhari did not attend, though reports had said he would be there.
Source: Daily Trust
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