Aggrieved Ogun governorship aspirants stay away from Atiku's campaign

• Published date: 19 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

PDP presidential candidate pledges to retool economy, create jobs

Former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, held his presidential rally in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital yesterday.

He urged party members to win their respective polling booths in the forthcoming general elections.

Two of the aggrieved governorship aspirant shunned the rally. Otunba Jimi Lawal was absent both at the stakeholders meeting earlier held in the city and the campaign rally later at the Ake Palace ground, Abeokuta.

Lawal is in court to challenge the victory of the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, during the primary. Sources close to the aggrieved aspirant said he has no reason to be at the campaign ground.

The source told our reporter: 'On what basis would he have been at the rally? To be Ladi Adebutu's subordinate or what? Have you found out if he was invited? He did not attend. He was not invited.'

It was also not clear if Atiku visited his former boss, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo before or after meeting party members and stakeholders at the Park Inn Hotel, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Addressing supporters briefly at Ake, the venue of the rally, Atiku said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed Nigeria and urged the electorate to vote the party out this time.

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In his entourage were the chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; the Director General of the Council, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; the National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki...