Former
Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Monday said he regretted not doing
much to help the People’s Democratic Party win in Lagos State when he had the
opportunity in 2003.
Abubakar, a
PDP presidential aspirant, spoke in Lagos while holding a meeting with members
of the party in the state.
The News
Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting was part of his nationwide tour of
state chapters, to seek support for his aspiration ahead of 2019 general
elections.
He revealed
how his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, before the 2003 elections, gave
him the task to deliver the six South-West states then governed by the Alliance
for Democracy to the PDP.
Abubakar
said that in carrying out the task, he delivered all the states to PDP, except
Lagos.
The former
Vice-President said that he deliberately did not do much to win Lagos because
of his relationship with former governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
He
apologised to party members for what he called his mistake, saying that Lagos
would have been better off if he had delivered it to the PDP then.
“When we
came to power in 1999, the entire South-Western states were controlled by the
AD.
“And when we
were approaching the 2003 elections, I told my boss, give me the chance to take
over the South-West
“And he gave
me that authority, and I took all the states with the exception of Lagos.
“Why?
Because Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and I came a long way from the SDP, PDM and all of
that, and I felt I should leave Lagos for him. In fact, I could easily have
taken over Lagos, but I did not.
“I have
since regretted my decision; please, my sisters and brothers in the party, I
want you to forgive me for taking Lagos out of that arrangement.
“If I have
another opportunity again, Lagos will be taken to where it belongs. So, I am
appealing to you to give me that opportunity so that I can correct the mistakes
that I made”, he said.
Abubakar
said his decision to seek the number one seat in the country was to reposition
and put it on the path of progress.
He said that
the country was having serious issues in the areas of economy and security,
assuring that he would fix the problems if elected.
Abubakar
said that the ruling All Progressives Congress had failed to deliver the
promised change.
He said that
he was committed to the idea of restructuring, and believed it was key to the
country’s progress.
The former
vice president said he would restructure the country within six months in
office if given the mandate.
Abubakar
pointed out that the Federal Government was too powerful, and promised to
ensure devolution of power to other federating units.
“If I am
elected, I will make the centre unattractive and ensure that power devolves to
the states”, he said.
He called on
party members across the country to support his bid as he meant well for the
country.
Earlier, the
Director-General of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, said
that his principal had the capacity to reposition Nigeria.
He said that
he has the passion and the experience to lead the country and would not
disappoint Nigerians if given the opportunity.
Daniel, a
former governor of Ogun, appealed to members in the Lagos state chapter to be
united and support the aspiration of Abubakar.
The only PDP
member of the state House of Assembly, Mr Dipo Olorunrinu thanked the former
vice president for the visit.
He promised
the aspirant full support, adding that PDP members in the state had confidence
in him.
“We will
support you, we will be with you. We are 100 per cent with you and your
aspiration,’’ he said.
NAN reports
that Abubakar was also accompanied on the visit by former Minister of Niger
Delta, Chief Godsday Orubebe.
Former
Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe, was among leaders that received the
aspirant in Lagos.
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