The 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Atiku has urged the residents of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to go out in large numbers to vote during the elections on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
Atiku in a video on Wednesday called on voters to go out enmasse in these three states where off-cycle Governorship elections are scheduled to take place.
These elections, which are classified as off-cycle, are the first set of polls to take place after the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
“Although there is a groundswell of dissatisfaction and resentment about how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) walked back on the promise of transparency in the last general elections, but that shortcoming is not enough reason for us to give up on democracy,” Atiku said.
“Despite our disappointments, I urge us all to derive wisdom in the immortal saying of former US President James Monroe that, “the best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil”.
“Our objective of defeating anti-democratic elements in our polity cannot be successful if we refuse to go out enmasse to cast our ballot on Election Day.
“And, that is why, I am appealing to the good people of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to come out in large numbers this Saturday to vote for the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party in those respective elections.
In Bayelsa state, Governor Duoye Diri will contest on the platform of the PDP while in Kogi, it is Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu in Imo.
Atiku said that the elections on Saturday are absolutely about the people and it is absolutely not about any political godfather.
He stated that this is why it is important for the people of Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states to come out in large numbers to cast their votes.
According to him, these elections are more about the fortunes of the common people, and it is his firm belief that when the people vote and stand to protect their votes, democracy wins.
The former vice president also expressed his belief in the saying that when democracy wins, the people invariably win.
