Embattled chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, says its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is prepared to rescue the country from the maladministration of the incumbent government of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Mr Ayu stated this in Bauchi on Thursday, saying Nigerians have suffered enough misfortune most especially ‘hunger and insecurity’ under Buhari.

Mr Ayu, who explained that the PDP already enjoyed a wide support of the masses ahead of the 2023 general election, boasted that Mr Abubakar would take over power and correct the ‘ills’ from the Buhari regime. 

“Atiku Abubakar will move to the villa and we will rescue the country from all the damages that the present government has done. We have suffered insecurity in the North-East, you are suffering from hunger, you are suffering from diseases. The PDP under the leadership of President Atiku Abubakar will correct these ills,” the embattled PDP chair said at the party’s stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday. 

Nigerians have suffered the worst economic hardship under the Buhari regime with the economy twice falling into recession while unemployment peaked at an all time high.

Mr Buhari who came with the mantra of ‘change’ has failed to live up to the expectations of Nigerians as the country continues to plunge into economic woes.

Speaking further, Mr Ayu said Nigerians would be shocked with the outcome of the 2023 general stressing that the PDP would win with a landslide margin. 

He also noted that the opposition party despite its internal crisis remained strong even in its preparation for the next year’s general election. 

While noting that the party has commenced its campaign with the view of winning the 2023 election, the PDP National Chairman urged its supporters to arm themselves with their PVCs. 

“All of you should have a Permanent Voters Card and make sure you campaign at your polling unit, don’t campaign only at rallies, we don’t want people in Abuja, everybody must go back home to his polling unit,” Mr Ayu maintained, stressing that, “On that day, we will shock Nigerians, the victory margin is going to be seven million votes.”

Recently, Mr Ayu has come under attack by party stalwarts led by Rivers governor Nyesom Wike who are demanding that he resign from his position.