The Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose; the Ekiti Central Senatorial Candidate of the PDP, Mr. Oladimeji Lateef Ajijola and the Federal House of Representatives Candidate for Ekiti North Federal Constituency 2, Otunba Yinka Akerele among others were absent at the People’s Democratic Party, Presidential Campaign Rally held in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital during the week.
Despite the artificial lockdown imposed by transporters throughout Ekiti State as a result of the scarcity of petroleum products, coupled with their decision to hold a special prayer session which crippled commercial activities in the State; members and supporters of the People’s Democratic Party, were still able to find their way to the venue of the Presidential Campaign Rally held at the popular Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti.
While addressing his supporters at the Campaign Rally, the Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abukakar, descended heavily on those who plotted against the event by crippling commercial activities in the State with the aim of preventing people from attending the rally.
Atiku, while praising his supporters who despite all odds trooped out en masse to the venue, berated the role played by his antagonists who plotted to truncate the rally.
Speaking further, Atiku, said, “What I saw when I arrived at the venue nearly made me shed tears of joy. Before we came to Ekiti, they said we won’t see anybody to receive or identify with us but you surprise us. With your courage, you prove them wrong.
“To stop you from coming to this event, they created artificial scarcity of fuel and made the Transporters to withdraw their services from the road, but you broke the challenges to out en masse. I can assure you that, if you vote the PDP to power on February 25, we will continue to always make you happy everyday as you have made us happy. We will construct the dilapidated Ado-Akure road and others that linked Ekiti to other States” he declared.
“Ekiti is the centre of intellectual discourse in the Country, which is your God given resources and PDP will make use of this for human capital development. Funds will be made available to youths and women for business enterprise”, Atiku submitted.
In his words, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and the Governor of Delta State, Mr. Ifeanyi Okowa, appreciated members, supporters and leadership of the party in Ekiti State for standing upright in the face of persecution and that of the internal crisis within the party’s fold.
Governor Okowa who was full of excitement with the display and show of courage, unity and determination by party members assured them that the party was ready to rescue the country out of its present ugly situation.
He added that the disunity in the country today is not the Nigeria of the PDP’s dream where industries are packing off. He also described the PDP as deeply rooted and established in all the States of the Federation as the only party that can turn the country around for better.
In his own speech, the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, said the people of Ekiti State have shown their commitment to the restructuring of the country by coming to attend the PDP’s Presidential Campaign Rally in the State despite been blocked from coming.
“The enemies within and without may stop you from coming or moving out as you want, but they can’t stop you from voting for the PDP that will rescue Ekiti and Nigeria from tyrannies”, he stated.
Thereafter, the National Chairman also presented the flag of the party to only two candidates who were physically present out of about 29 candidates contesting for various positions in the 2023 general elections at the rally.
The two candidates include: Senator Biodun Olujimi contesting for Ekiti South Senatorial District and Engineer Akomolafe Henrich who is also contesting for Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1.
Leaders and top hierarchy of the party in the entourage of Alhaji Atiku Abukakar and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa present at the rally were: former Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo; Senator Dino Melaye; Mr. Buni Haruna; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Governors of Sokoto and Akwa Ibom States, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and Udom Emmanuel respectively, among others.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
