Atiku Abubakar has enjoined Anambra citizens to vote him in the 2023 elections, stating that he portends a pathway for an Igbo person to become Nigeria’s president in future.

The Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate spoke at a campaign rally in Anambra on Thursday.

“I’m going to be the stepping stone to Igbo presidency. I have shown it by my actions because this is the third time I will be contesting with an Igbo man as my running mate,” Mr Abubakar said at the campaign flag-off held in Awka. “If you rarely want to produce a president, then vote Atiku/Okowa. I thank you for this wonderful reception and we promise not to disappoint you.”

The PDP flag bearer also pledged to make the Onitsha port functional if elected as president in 2023.

He said: “On our arrival today we visited Gov. Soludo and he said to me that he believes that I will work when I win.

“So, he urged me to reconstruct all the federal roads and control erosion menace in the state, as Anambra is regarded as erosion headquarters in the country. And I promised him I will do that.

“I also promise to dredge the River Niger and make sure the Onitsha port becomes functional, if you vote in PDP in 2023.

“We shall also industrialise the state to create jobs for our youths,” he said.

Mr Abubakar’s running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, commended party leaders for the high level of campaign in the communities of Anambra.

“We are appealing to you all to vote for PDP in the general election. Our presidential candidate, Atiku, is the most experienced among all the candidates contesting, and he is determined to transform Nigeria for good,” Mr Okowa said.

In his speech, Iyorchia Ayu, the National Chairman PDP, urged the electorate to vote massively for PDP, describing Anambra as a PDP state and not All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

“PDP started in Anambra with our leader, Dr Alex Ekwuene. So Anambra is PDP not APGA. APGA is a son to PDP and in future we shall bring APGA back to their home, which is PDP.

“I beg you to vote PDP because we have a very competent candidate, who is a businessman like you and also your in-law. Sometimes, your in-law is better than your son,”

A former governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, who is the Labour Party presidential candidate, is believed to enjoy home advantage, ahead of next year’s poll.

(NAN)