Ahead of this weekend’s Osun State governorship election, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, has called on the electorate in the state to resist a repeat of the 2018 experience where the party was allegedly rigged of its victory.
Atiku made this plea while speaking to the party’s faithful during the PDP mega rally for its governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, yesterday.
Besides Atiku, other party chieftains present at the rally held at the party secretariat were the national chairman of the party, Dr Iyocha Ayu, Atiku’s vice presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and some PDP governors.
Addressing the mammoth crowd of party faithful and supporters, Atiku charged the Osun electorate to vote massively and ensure that their votes count.
Atiku who noted that Osun State was a PDP state insisted that PDP had suffered rigging in the past and ‘it should not be allowed to happen again.’
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In the meantime, the Adamawa-born Atiku has also asserted that he understands Yoruba language and that he had a soft spot for the people
In a statement he said, ‘I don’t speak Yoruba but I understand a bit of it. Some members of my family speak the language fluently.
‘Of course, the Yoruba people are dear to my heart as other tribes in our country. But the Yoruba language has a unique quality that I admire in particular. It has the power of descriptiveness.
‘By my understanding, the slogan of Imole as the brand identity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the Osun State election could not have been more apt.
‘Imole is not just light. Indeed, the closest English interpretation of it is “to illuminate”. And for that, it is no wonder why our gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, enjoys a groundswell of support amongst the esteemed people of the state across all localities and local governments.’
According to him, for the past 12 years, Osun, which was once a shining star of the South West geopolitical zone, had been thrown into a state of doldrums, but that PDP had come to return the state to its good times.
‘Imole has come on a rescue mission to return Osun to its state of glory and splendour and I, Atiku Abubakar and all leaders of our great party, will be on ground in Osogbo to mobilise support for the success of our campaign.’
He told Osun voters that the choice was “between the people and the forces of darkness” that has held them hostage.’
Also, speaking, the party chairman, Iyocha Ayu said that PDP had come to rescue Nigeria, and Osun State by extension, from bad government.
Ayu who noted that Osun is in darkness said light has come to illuminate the state and bring good government which he said can only be provided by PDP.