The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has clarified that he and his running mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, are not running for the presidency out of desperation for power. Speaking through a representative, Yakubu Dogara, during an endorsement ceremony by the Council of National Students Presidents of Nigeria, Atiku stated that he and Okowa are focused on uniting the country, addressing the issue of insecurity and fixing the economy, which is currently on the verge of collapse.
The Council of National Students Presidents of Nigeria is an organisation that represents the interests of students in Nigeria, including the National Association of University Students, Postgraduate Students Association of Nigeria, National Association of Polytechnic Students and National Association of Colleges of Agriculture Students.
During the endorsement ceremony, Dogara conveyed Atiku’s message to the student representatives, highlighting that Atiku and Okowa are not running for political office out of desperation for power but rather to address the critical issues affecting Nigeria. He emphasised that Atiku and Okowa are determined to stabilise the country, which he believes has been left behind on the starting blocks of the race.
Dogara also commended the incumbent President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.), for his policy on naira redesign, which he believes will checkmate vote-buying and enhance credible elections in the country. He urged Nigerians to be patient and endure the temporary pains associated with the policy, as the gains would be significant in the long run.
Senator Philip Aduda, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, also spoke at the ceremony and described Atiku as an educationist with a proven track record of managing a university that has never been on strike.
Obaji Uchenna Marshal, the Council of National Students’ Presidents of Nigeria’s Chairman, said the organisation has closely checked all the frontline presidential candidates. After a scrutiny check concluded that the PDP (Atiku/Okowa) has the most reliable and holistic manifesto to provide solutions to Nigeria’s problems.
In conclusion, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, have stated that they are not running for the presidency out of desperation for power. Instead, they focus on uniting Nigeria, tackling insecurity, and fixing the economy. The endorsement is a vote of confidence in their ability to deliver on these promises if elected.
