Okezie Ikpeazu, the Governor of Abia State, has renewed the call on the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, to strengthen itself in order to take over the Presidency of Nigeria in 2023 and rescue the country from the current grave insecurity and socio-economic challenges facing her.
He made the call while welcoming one of the PDP Presidential aspirants and former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Umuahia.
It was contained in a release by Onyebuchi Ememanka, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Abia state, issued to newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia capital on Monday.
The State Governor said Nigeria needs a country where its citizens can be truly secured and their lives protected and saluted the doggedness of Atiku in the quest to redefine Nigeria and rescue her from the present problems bedevilling it.
Ikpeazu appreciated the support of the former Nigeria Vice President for the democratic ideals, as well as the major part he has played to unify the country.
He posited that Nigeria has drifted so much since 2019 as citizens today are asking for an opportunity even to live, confiding that Atiku must have done his research well about the situation of the country and how to recover it and wished him well in his consultations.
Earlier on his part, the Presidential hopeful on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PAP), and the ex-Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar said he was in Abia to consult with delegates ahead of the forthcoming presidential primaries taking place on 28 and 29th May 2022 and to solicit their support for him.
“The 2023 elections is crucial as the party must decide whether to take over power at the centre or remain in the opposition, “he added.
Atiku further said he has a personal relationship with Abia State that dates back to several years and assured that such relationship would continue.
The party chieftain appreciated Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, members of the State Executive Council and delegates for their expected support.
Atiku was accompanied on the visit by the Director General of his Campaign Organisation, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna and Senator Abdul Ningi amongst others.
According to the release by Ememanka, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Chris Ezem, Abia Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Rt. Hon Asiforo Okere, members of the State Executive Council and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe were amongst top officials of the State Government who witnessed the event.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu later took the former Vice President of Nigeria to the Banquet Hall of the Government House Umuahia for a meeting with party delegates.