March 26, (THEWILL) – Nigerians from diverse cultures have expressed their beliefs that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will rescue Nigeria from the dwindling fortunes of her economy, harsh security situations. Thereby uniting the country for progress and stability if voted as president come 2023.
At a National Town hall meeting South South edition held at Ibom E-library conference hall IBB avenue Uyo, Akwa ibom state at the weekend, organised by Atiku Kawai media group, Nigerians agreed that Atiku Abubakar’s immense goodwill, deep experience in politics and administration is what will return the country to the path of progress, prosperity and genuine development, after eight years of the present administration.
In his keynote address, Obong Ide Owodiong Idemeko, the international president of 1001+Voices Initiative for Peoples Empowerment, explained that the ability or inability to achieve National Unity has been the bane of Nigeria’s progress as a nation, regardless of other objective socio-political and economic factors, that in themselves, drive subjective outcomes that we define as National Disunity.
According to him, “Nigeria has been a work in progress since the Northern and Southern protectorates and the colony of Lagos were brought to exist side by side, in what is commonly referred to as the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria.
“That singular action and subsequent actions later by both the British colonialists and its Nigerian indigenous successors, laid the groundwork for the crisis of national unity that we continue to face in the country today.”
“We can’t make progress if we do not come together to forge a common identity as One Nigeria and One People with One Destiny. Present challenges we face across the nation can all be traced in large measure to the failure of governance in getting all Nigerians to work for the betterment of the nation and ensuring that justice and equity is the bedrock of engagements between the various ethno-nationalities and social classes.
Idemeko, a 2023 Governorship Hopeful in Akwa Ibom State, traced the real cause of the jaundiced development in Nigeria to poor leadership and governance; urging Nigerians to use the forthcoming 2023 elections, the second successive peaceful transition of power in the country’s history to usher in a new government that will rescue the country from the abyss that it has fallen into in the past 7 years.
“It is therefore imperative that we open our eyes and identify leaders who are experienced, competent, bold and can confidently chart the course of a new Nigeria, by reaching out to all segments of our country to achieve an inclusive and collaborative approach to the myriad of problems facing us as a country and a people
“Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has promised to lead in the front and to confront boldly some of the ‘no-go’ areas of Nigeria’s political history such as restructuring the federal principles, on which our lopsided federal structure is anchored, and which is a major source of disunity and lack of prosperity.
“Nigerians have passed through a real tumultuous moment and need Atiku Abubakar to stabilise it. He has what it takes to provide the right leadership for the country”, he stated.
In his welcome address, Mr Abdul Rasheed Shehu, founder of Atiku Kawai media group, explained that Nigeria today is in a state of constant decline in Unity, Economy, Education, Opportunities and many more with national cohesion diminishing, stressing that it has become important and an act of patriotism to make a case for National Unity & Prosperity.
According to him, “Today, our Nation is in need of a Leader, who is a symbol of National Unity and a rallying point of all the people of our country.
“A man who is seen by all to be detribalised more than all else. Nigeria needs a leader with proven capacity to fix the current challenges facing the nation such as Fix the economy, Create employment opportunities for our young people, Eradicate Poverty, Improve the educational sector at all levels and most importantly, Unite Nigerians.”
Shehu said, “With the recent declaration of His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, to contest the presidential election in the 2023 General Election, it has become incumbent on us to go round the geopolitical zones of this country to spread his message of Unity & Prosperity.
“Atiku Abubakar is one of the best products of our nation. He remains a unifying figure with an excellent record of excellence. In both public service and the private sector, one of the largest employers of youths and women in the country. We believe if he has the capacity to do it both in government and the business sector, then he can succeed once again and usher in a new dawn for Nigeria as the President in 2023.”
The panel of discussants at the event, which included Mr Shehu showunmi, Prince Olatuni Olusoji, Hon Divine Onyekachi and Vicky Heldan during the interactive sessions with Nigerians threw more light on the series of achievements of the former vice president in both public and private sectors and urged Nigerians to rally round Alhaji Abubakar to stop the country from economic implosion and chronic insecurity bedeviling the nation, while ushering in a new dawn.
Pic shows a cross section of participants at the Town Hall meeting
