Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Coalition of Support Groups for Atiku Abubakar says Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, stands better chances of winning the Presidential election by virtue of his pedigree, exposure and experience.
Dr Ejikeme Odumegwu, National Coordinator of Coalition of Support Groups for Atiku Abubakar, told newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday that Atiku had the edge of age-long international and local connections ahead of other candidates in the race.
Odumegwu said that as a unifier, Atiku had built bridges of unity across the length and breadth of the county; thus, “there is no axis of the country that Atiku has not made an in-road into.”
According to him, his eight years as a Vice President has taught him a lot of lessons and he has gathered lots of experience for him to know how to fix the challenges in the country.
The national coordinator said that all indices of victory were favouring Atiku candidacy; “if the principles of one-man, one-vote and a free and fair election that is devoid of violence, vote-buying and other forms of inducement would be adhered to.”
“We have done a lot of ground and grassroots work and mobilisation for my principal (Atiku) and I know that many Nigerians, our people, will vote massively for him come February 25.
“I am an Igbo man saying this and that means I am not influenced by tribe or ethnicity in my political stance and choice. It is national politics; we do not need to bring sentiment and tribalism into it.
“We believe that Nigerians will rejoice 24 hours after the election day as Atiku coasts to victory and a New Nigeria comes on stream,” he said.
Odumegwu, however, urged the electorate to be peaceful, eschew violence and work for a New Nigerian by a free, fair and credible Presidential election, adding that political gladiators and their supporters should shun intimidation or molestation of voters.
He pleaded with the youths not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs as the new election technology would not give advantage to any form of political thuggery and election disruptions.
“Most people contesting the elections have their children in schools and communities overseas and you (youths) are here in Nigeria, wandering in the streets.
“And after smoking and drinking, you feel you are doing the right thing by going to beat up somebody or a political opponent because you are paid a paltry N10,000 or N20,000.
“I will advise youths to consider their self worth, consider their family values and know that they should be contesting for a position and not someone else using them for a negative engagement that might cost your life as well,” he said.
