- ‘We would not allow our votes to be stolen again’, says PDP
- They denied us the use of Stadium for our rally, but God will fight for us – Adeleke
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday led other very top chieftains of the party to Osogbo, the Osun State capital, to canvass votes for the party’s governorship candidate Sen. Ademola Adeleke, in the July 16 election.
Some of the PDP stalwarts at the PDP Mega Rally were Governors of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who led other governors, the former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki, and former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Others at the rally are; the PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorcha Ayu, former Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Governor of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In his remarks, Atiku appealed to electorate in the state to vote PDP and Adeleke.
He also appealed to them to protect their votes from being stolen.
“Do not allow them to steal your votes like they did in 2018.
“Osun is a PDP state and I appeal to you to vote for the party and safeguard your votes,” Atiku said.
In his remarks, Ayu also appealed to electorate to vote for the party on Saturday.
He said, “there is darkness in Osun. We want light and that is why we want you to vote for PDP and Adeleke on Saturday”.
Tambuwal, the Sokoto State Governor, also urged the Osun State electorates to vote PDP for the restoration of good values and governance.
He said that a vote for PDP on Saturday would bring progress and prosperity in the state.
On his part, Sambo urged registered voters to vote for PDP on Saturday.
The Caretaker Chairman of the party in the state, Mr Akindele Adekunle, also urged the electorate to vote for the party.
“Osun people have decided to vote for Ademola Adeleke. Vote for prosperity, vote for PDP.”
Saraki on his part challenged the people of the state to defend their votes and not allow their votes to be stolen like they did four years ago. He said the PDP was rigged out of a free and fair election in 2018 and time has come for the people to send the riggers packing.
The National Campaign Committee Chairman and Governor of Bayelsa, Gov. Douye Diri, said the PDP is ready to retrieve its mandate stolen by the ruling APC four years ago. He saluted the people for their patience and forbearance, saying PDP has come to restore life more abundance in line with the party’s manifesto.
In his remarks, the party’s flag bearer Adeleke commended party leaders for mobilizing heavily for the rally. He equally praised party members in the state for coming out enmass for the campaign.
He said the ruling APC government denied him the use of the Osun Township Stadium to host the rally because they were afraid of the crowd that would turn up. “They had their own rally at the Stadium on Tuesday, but they denied us the use of the same place to host this event. But your presence here, even at short notice is a signal that their time is up. We shall vote and protect our votes on Saturday.
He said a vote for him and PDP is a vote for progress.
Adeleke said if elected, he would ensure prompt payment of salaries, pension and also give financial autonomy to local government.
Conspicuously missing at the rally were the former Governor of Ekiti State Mr Ayodele Fayose, his friend and Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, who was also the first runner up in the PDP Presidential Primary race, and his Oyo State colleague Mr Seyi Makinde.
Cross over musician and nephew to the PDP Osun State PDP flag bearer, David Adeleke, popularly called Davido electrified the huge crowd at the rally with his songs.