*As presidential candidate withdraws, backs Atiku
Three days to the rescheduled general elections, the Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has made a big catch as Alhaji Sani Muhammad Gobirawa, Northwest Zonal Vice President of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners and top notch of the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) “Buhari Sak” in Sokoto defects from APC.
Gobirawa, who currently is at the vanguard as Vice Chairman of the Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (AMATA) Support Group disclosed in Sokoto that his defection along with others in the BSO was voluntary and based on their conviction that PDP is the most fulfilling political platform that symbolises the democracy for Nigeria to work again.
“Our decision to join PDP was purely based on our firm conviction of the ability and capability of Governor Aminu’s reality and myth, as such, we don’t need the approval or inclination of any family to actualize our political aspirations”, he pointed out.
“I have to put it straight to the people of the State and to shame doubting Thomases that as a Nigerian and an adult with my senses, I can decide on which party to join without associating my actions with any family.
“This clarification has become necessary for Sokoto people to discountenance insinuations from some quarters associated with family issue”, he explained.
The Wakilin Gwiwa and Walin Dabagin Ardo continued: “When I joined BSO I did not seek the permission nor associated my membership to any family.”
Gobirawa, however, urged the public to focus on issues and not personality as to the issue of choice in a democratic setting where a citizen has the right to freely associate and express his wish as to his or her aspiration.
He said his group remains determined and focused with resilience for the success of PDP and for the reelection of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
“I wish to reaffirm the commitment of our group and we remain firm and resolute behind the PDP under Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from the grassroots up to the National level for the good of the people and the coming generations yet unborn. I also urge the people of Sokoto state to continue to extend their support to the Governor so that he can transform the state and return it’s lost glory.”
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the National Interest Party (NIP), Mrs. Eunice Atuejide, has withdrawn from the rescheduled presidential election.
In a statement she released early on Wednesday morning, Mrs Atuejide said she stepped down from the election because her race for the presidency was programmed to end on February 16 “and it did.”
“Therefore, the presidential election proposed to hold on 23rd February 2019 due to the last-minute postponement by INEC does not involve me,” Atuejide, the founder and chairperson of the NIP said.
According to the lawyer, the race is now between President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Atuejide said she is now committed to supporting Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, whom she considers a better candidate.
“I choose to fight for the benefit of every Nigerian on the side of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. I cannot defend PDP for giving us bad leadership from 1999 to 2015, yet I cannot help but blame the APC for doing a much worse job from 2015 to 2019.
“Plus, whether we call them PDP, APC, PPA, ANN, YPP, or NIP, we are all the same people moving from one political platform to the other in search of a place to speak out and be heard.
“To my mind, the political party platform is not the real issue. Nonetheless, it’s either Alhaji Atiku Abubakar under the PDP or President Buhari under the APC this time.”
“I make bold to state unequivocally that I stand with Atiku under the PDP this time.”
Atuejide of the NIP has never concealed her criticism of President Buhari and his government.
Last month, she declared President Buhari mentally and physically unfit to continue in office, saying she has commenced legal action to “stop” him.