Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed his commitment to the devolution of power and the restructuring of Nigeria’s federalism if elected the next president of Nigeria.
Abubakar, the former Vice President of the country, made the promise on Thursday in Abakaliki during the presidential rally in Ebonyi.
He stressed that if elected, his government would commit to devolve more power to the states as well as restructure the country to meet these demands through federalism.
He said the people of the South-East zone have been calling for restructuring so that they can have more power to deal with local affairs and assured the people that restructuring will be the main policy of his administration if elected president of Nigeria.
He said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed in its promise to restructure the country and urged the people of the country to reject the party in the February presidential and National Assembly elections.
The former VP, who was received by a large crowd at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township stadium in Abakaliki, thanked those who supported the PDP since its inception in 1999.
He said: “I am committed to the devolution and restructuring of power; the South-East zone has been yearning and has been propagating to be restructured from this country because they want to have more powers, more resources to deal with local affairs.
“We agree and that is why it will be the main policy of the government if you support it and if you allow us to be the next president.
“APC has promised the same. Did they do it? They abandoned the problem saying restructuring, they are a very treacherous party or alliance, very deceitful.
“We are committed and we mean what we say and if you give us your support, we will give it.”
He promised to empower women and youths to take power from old politicians, saying that youths and women will be the main drivers in the administration.
Earlier, Sen. Iyorcha Ayu, the PDP National Chairman, said the party is on a rescue mission and urged the people of the country to vote en masse for the PDP in the coming elections.
He noted that the Atiku government would strive for total restoration of peace and security in the South-East zone and urged the zone not to rest in its support for the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta Governor and Vice Presidential candidate, were among the dignitaries who held the rally.