Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to boost economic activities and support businesses in Abia with $10 billion if voted into power.
Atiku who made the pledge Saturday in Umuahia during his presidential rally, also promised to actualise the Aba Dry Port project which he said, he flagged off as Vice President.
He promised to rehabilitate the deplorable Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene federal road and other federal roads in the state if elected President in the February 25 presidential election.
The former Vice President also promised to rehabilitate the Eastern rail lines which had been scrapped by the current All Progressives Congress.
Atiku urged Abians to vote for the PDP at the forthcoming polls, saying that while PDP was in power Nigerians were evenly treated contrary to marginalisation and discrimination being witnessed currently.
He also promised not to discriminate against any part of Nigeria but to carry them along irrespective of their religion or tribe.
“We are aware of all the suffering that Nigerians are through because of the naira redesign and lack of petroleum products in the country and we sympathise with you all.
“Our party is not playing ethnic or religious card. What we are playing is the Nigerian card.
“When the PDP was in power, we ensured that people from the south-East and other parts of Nigeria were given a sense of belonging and we will do it again.
“I have seen your request and they are all in line with our campaign manifesto, I want to appeal to the people to vote for us and we will meet all your request.
“I approved the construction of the inland dry port in Abia State as Vice President, and I will ensure that it is completed when we take over power.”
Speaking at the event, the PDP National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu, solicited the support of Abians and the entire Igbo for Atiku, assuring that Atiku presidency would protect the interest of all Nigerians.
He solicited the support of Abia voters for Atiku and other PDP candidates, assuring that the state will not be abandoned.
In his remark, Chairman, Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, South-East zone, Senator Theodore Orji, said Atiku would unite Nigeria if voted into power.
Senator Orji who canvased support for Atiku, said the PDP candidate would help support businesses in Abia.
The former Governor said that Nigeria would again witness peace, security and prosperity under the PDP presidency.
Speaking, PDP governorship candidate in the state, Chief Okey Ahiwe, assured Atiku of landslide victory in Abia.
He said people would be shocked at the impressive performance of PDP at the forthcoming polls.
Abia PDP Chairman, Asiforo Okere, who also assured Atiku of victory in Abia, pleaded that Abia be given due attention by his administration.
Okere regretted that since the PDP lost the presidential election in 2015, Abia had been grossly marginalised in infrastructural development.
The Umuahia Township Stadium, venue of the rally was filled to its capacity as PDP members from across the state thronged out in their numbers.
