Avoid mistakes made by PDP, Atiku advises APC

FORMER Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against making the same mistakes that led to the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the general elections.

Atiku gave the advice during a valedictory dinner for outgoing APC governors at the Sheraton Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

He particularly congratulated Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto for successfully completing their tenure as governors.

In his tribute, he said: “Governor Fashola and his predecessor, Bola Tinubu, helped to legitimise the progressives governors in the South West and Nigeria since we returned to civil rule in 1999. Nobody would again wonder what an APC government could do in office.

“In the South South, Governor Amaechi and later Oshiomhole showed what an APC central government would look like. So also the Imo State Governor and Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, Anayo Rochas Okorocha.

“In the north, governors Kwankwaso and Wamako have been shining examples of good governance, bringing positive change to their people and Nigeria. Their respective positions on national issues also made them popular in their states and across the country. They are the reason why the people of their states love them.

“They influenced the exit of other governors from the PDP, and this contributed significantly to our victory and the defeat of the PDP. There is no disconnect between them and the people. When the chips were down, these brave governors remained steadfast. That is why we celebrate them this evening. I enjoin all our incoming governors to lead by example, if they do so Nigeria will change for good.

“As we ponder what the agenda of the incoming government will be within the context of the party’s manifesto, we only need to look at what these governors have done, improve on them and avoid some of the challenges they face.

“We must avoid the things that brought the PDP to its kneels, such as winner takes all approach, greed, arrogance, impunity, corruption, treachery and so on. We must try to be a better party and better managers of our beloved country. Once more, I congratulate the outgoing governors and wish them success in the next phase of their lives.”