The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has shared photos from a state banquet organized in his honour by Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa who is also his running mate in the forthcoming general election.
The former Vice-President shared photos from the event held on Tuesday on his Facebook page today, 25 January, 2023.
He appreciated the State Governor and the entire Delta State executive council for the dinner last night.
“Thank you, Governor Ifeanyi A. Okowa and the entire Delta State Executive Council, for the dinner in my honour last night. I look forward to a great day of project commissioning today. -AA,” he wrote.
The banquet was held after the campaign rally held at Stephen Keshi stadium.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the over 25,000- capacity Stephen Keshi Stadium, the venue of the rally, overflowed with party supporters while those outside the stadium outnumbered those within.
Addressing the rally, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, lauded the large turnout and urged those in attendance to convert their support to vote for the party massively.
He thanked the people of Delta for their resolute commitment to the PDP since 1999 and urged them to continue to support the party.
He assured that the support which informed his decision to choose Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate was part of his commitment to reward the state and Niger Delta in general.
He said his administration would devolve power to states to enable them to control their resources, stressing that the sacrifices of Delta and the Niger Delta would be rewarded.
Atiku said he was not in Delta to campaign but to show gratitude to the people for supporting the party since 1999 till date.
“Delta and indeed all Niger Delta have never failed me; you have supported me all through and I shall not betray that trust.
“It is because of the support that I chose one of your own in the person of Governor Okowa as my running mate,’’ he said.
He called on the people to support the party and vote en-masse for PDP to ensure the realization of the party’s agenda.
Atiku pledged to end strikes in tertiary institutions to ensure a credible and functional education system in the country.
He also pledged to grow the economy through massive industrialization; ensure the security of life and properties and resource control.
On his part, Okowa charged PDP supporters to convert the large turnout to votes by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by voting for all PDP candidates.
He said the large turnout by youth and others was impressive and since Delta is the choice for vice president, the people should appreciate Atiku with a large number of votes.
“We have been looking for a president with capacity, knowledge and experience; Atiku fits in and he is the man to reset the county’s economy,’’ Okowa said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, charged the people to affirm their support by voting for PDP.