The campaign train of the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar moved to the ancient city of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Wednesday with the former vice president promising to devolve powers to state and local governments if elected Nigeria’s president in the February 25, 2023 election.

Atiku also said he would prioritise the exploration of the mineral resources in the state to provide jobs for residents.

“We have promised to devolve more powers to Ogun State and the local governments,” the septuagenarian politician told a crowd of uniformly dressed party supporters at the Ake Palace Ground in Abeokuta, on Wednesday.

“We have promised to make sure industrialisation of Ogun State because Ogun State is endowed with so many mineral resources in order to create jobs and prosperity. The PDP government will make sure the exploration of those mineral resources in the industrialisation of Ogun is made a priority,” he explained.

Atiku also said the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed Nigerians since it took over power in 2015 and should not be returned to office this year.

“The APC government has failed us. Therefore, it is our responsibility to not return them to power,” he said.

Our rally in Abeokuta today was huge. The crowd was full of energy, even despite the hot weather. Thank you, Abeokuta, for your massive show of love. pic.twitter.com/qpaoCbALoC

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) January 18, 2023

Atiku, Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007, was at the rally with his wife, Titi; the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa. Others are the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Governors Aminu Tambuwa (Sokoto) and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Ademola Adeleke (Osun); PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, amongst other PDP bigwigs.

‘Nigeria Must Be Rebuilt’

Addressing party faithful at the rally, the PDP national chairman said Nigeria must be recovered and be rebuilt.

Ayu accused the APC government of not releasing appropriate venues for the PDP presidential campaigns at state level.

“Anywhere we go and it is an APC-controlled government, they make sure we don’t get a venue. They are worried that they are going to lose power. Yesterday (Tuesday), we were in Ekiti, they refused to give us the appropriate venue. They closed all filling stations, there were no buses,” Ayu said.

“That should tell you that PDP is bouncing back; we are stronger than ever.

“Nobody should worry about whatever obstacle they put on way, we will crush them at the polling units, we will crush them at the wards, we will crush them at the local governments and we will crush them nationally. We must recover this country, we must rebuild Nigeria.”

He assured the people of the state that Atiku would return Nigeria to “better days” if elected next month.

“We know you are suffering, many of you can’t even eat in your houses – rice is over N50,000 a bag. We know the cost of producing a tuber of yam.

“Life is unbearable for you; you can’t even buy fuel. I want to assure you when Atiku Abubakar comes back to power, life will return to the better days the PDP was able to create,” the Benue-born politician said.