PDP Kicks Off Presidential Campaign In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, A Divided House

By Gideon Njoku

While still desperately trying to reconcile all members of its Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will kick off its Presidential Campaign on Monday, October 10, 2022.

Instead of kicking it off in Abuja, the Party has chosen Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, as a start-off point.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, the host, is the Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council.

Even though Uyo is already bubbling with activities, and PDP member fired up, there is a tinge of apprehension. The PDP is kicking-off the Campaign a divided house.

The Party has been divided since the outcome of its Presidential Primary where Candidate Atiku emerged, and the subsequent choice of Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who placed a respectable second, much to his disappointment, and further disappointment after he lost the Vice Presidential slot to Okowa, has been implacable, sulking and throwing tantrums.

Wike has, successfully, carved out a faction in the Party known as Camp Wike, and has four Governors and some Party chieftains as members. The Governors in Wike’s Camp are: Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Seyi Makinde of Benue, Abia, Enugu and Oyo States respectively.

This group has kept away from all the activities of the Party, unless the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who they hold responsible for Wike’s loss, resigns from office. As a cover, they say Ayu had promised to step down if a Northerner emerged as the candidate. But since Atiku’s emergence, Ayu has refused to step down. He has the support of Atiku, the Party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, and majority of Party members.

It is, therefore, not known if the Wike Camp will be in Uyo or not. If its members, led by Wike, do not show up, it would take some shine off  the ocassion, but it will also be a minus for those in Wike’s Camp, seeking elective offices.

Makinde is seeking a second term as Governor. If not well handled, the crisis could cost him that. Governors Ortom, Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi are also seeking to go to the Senate. Depending on how they tell their States to vote, it could affect their chances. The electorate is not sophisticated enough to vote another party for President, and same day, same time, vote another for National Assembly.

However, the PDP is all set to kick-start, with or without them. The Party is flaunting its achievements for the 16 years it was in power, and highlighting what it calls the monumental and embarrassing all-round failure of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Following is the text of an Interactive session with the Media, by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, where he gave details of the kick-off of the Presidential Campaign against February 2023.

Text of a Press Interactive Session by the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday October 8, 2022

The PDP formally informs Nigerians that our Party, the PDP will officially flag off its 2023 Presidential Election Campaign on Monday, October 10, 2022 in Uyo Akwa-Ibom State Capital.

Our Party is fully prepared for an issue-based campaign and our Presidential Candidate, H E. Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, H.E. Ifeanyi Okowa are fully “Articulated” for the campaign.

The PDP will take our campaign to all the States, Local Government Areas, Wards and Polling Units across the country under the Unified Campaign Structure as approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our Party.

Our Campaign will be people-driven and focused on PDP and H.E. Atiku Abubakar’s mission to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from the abysmal misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

From our consultations across the six geo-political zones of the country, it is clear that Nigerians across board, irrespective of religion, ethnicity and even political affiliations accept the PDP Presidential Candidate, H.E. Atiku Abubakar as the best Candidate with the practical experience, capacity, broad-mindedness and willpower to Unite our nation, Revamp our national economy, and guarantee security of lives and property in our country.

Why Nigerians Want H.E. Atiku Abubakar

H.E. Atiku Abubakar as Vice President to President Olusegun Obasanjo was the Chairman of the National Economic Council.

During that periodOur nation achieved unprecedented national productivity

*Secured $30bn overall debt relief from the Paris and London Clubs

*Nigeria’s economy was revamped to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world with stable exchange rate.

*Foreign reserves rose from $2bn in 1999 to $43bn in 2007

*Power generation rose from average daily generation capacity of 1,800mw in 1999 to 4,000 mw in 2007.

*Our country witnessed the liberalization of the telecommunication industry and the advent of GSM and Internet facilities in Nigeria

*Our country also witnessed a boost in private Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria

*More Nigerians opened investments in sectors hitherto controlled by foreigners including in the downstream and upstream petroleum sectors.

*Owing to the conducive economic environment, there was increase in Foreign Direct Investment and more Nigerians in the Diaspora returned to establish businesses in the country

*Expanded and consolidated the Nigerian banking industry to make it operate and participate effectively in global banking businesses.

*Nigeria achieved one of the most profitable Stock Markets in the world with an average Return on Investment of over 31%

*Our nation also achieved a consolidated Pension System both in the private and public sectors.  (The APC has been seeking to siphon money from that Fund).

*Under Atiku Abubakar as coordinator of the economy, Nigeria achieved economic rebound after military rule. Today Nigeria and Nigerians need Atiku Abubakar to achieve a rebound after the misrule of the APC.