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The former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as Nigeria’s biggest mistake.
Atiku made the statement at an event where prominent APC stalwarts defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Saturday,he urged Nigerians to leave the party in droves following its poor performance.
“We have made a big mistake before by floating a party called APC. But from today, I’m calling on you Adamawa people to leave your parties and join PDP because it is the future and the masses party.
” It was PDP that gave back life to Adamawa State after it was slayed by the APC and ushered it to its present state of development.
“Our schools are now better and our health institutions are in superb shape. I pray that this event will mark the beginning of the internment of the party,” Atiku said.
Meanwhile prominent ex-members of APC including former Secretary to Adamawa State Government, Kobis Ari Thimnu, Chief Daniel Bwala, Sali Bodes, Umar Bello Calculate, Hon Nedo Geoprey and Philip Gutuwa were received by governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri while accepting the new defectors he assured them that they will be treated fairly and will be given equal treatment.
However, he noted that with the massive discard of people in the APC Adamawa State, PDP has regained its glory in the state.
“I want all of you to give the new defectors the needed cooperation and level playing field as we have no strangers in the party.
” Allow those who want to contest among them to participate in the electoral process and they should be well accommodated and given a level playing ground. But let those who lose elections remain in the party because we will not be happy with people whose aim is only to contest elections under our platform,” Fintiri said.
The governor also urged all the party stakeholders to work round the clock to sell Atiku Abubakar’s candidature outside the state, adding that Atiku is the messiah that Nigeria is earnestly waiting for.
“We need to go to other States to sell Atiku’s candidature because selling Atiku in Adamawa amounts to eye service. Nigeria is in need of a Messiah and Atiku is that Messiah,” Fintiri said.
He noted that the renewed unity of purpose currently in the party was responsible for the giant strides being recorded in the state noting that in the last two years, the state has made development at par with what was achieved in the last 30 years.
The governor noted that he has instructed the PDP stakeholders to ensure 35% affirmative action in the coming party congresses.
“As a leader, I will ensure that youths and women are carried along in elections and appointments. Don’t block anybody from participation as we need massive participation as we are a people centered party,” he said.
Also re-echoing the governor’s position, the state chairman of PDP, Barr. A.T Shehu noted that the mass defection marks the end of APC and set the beginning of the internment of the party in Adamawa State and Nigeria in general.
“Today marks the beginning of the burial of APC in Adamawa State and Nigeria as a whole. We are receiving popular politicians who are not only popular in the state but household names in Nigeria,” Shehu said.