Diri, Makarfi, Dogara task Nigerians on new path to development

Seek rejection of APC at elections

Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, a former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, and a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Yakubu Dogara, have called on Nigerians to seek a new path to growth and development by rejecting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the general elections.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bigwigs disclosed this when they stormed Southern Kaduna senatorial district for the official campaign flag off of the party’s senatorial candidate, Sunday Marshal Katung, and other candidates.

Diri, who was the special guest of honour, said what Nigeria needs in the elections are humble leaders who would unite the country, not people who would widen existing divide through religion and ethnicity, while keeping citizens in poverty.

He, therefore, appealed to the people of Southern Kaduna to vote Atiku Abubakar as president, Isah Ashiru as governor, and Katung as senator, alongside all other PDP candidates.

“Nigeria must be recovered and rescued through a detribalised leader, in the person of Atiku Abubakar, So, I urge us all to stand behind all candidates of the PDP in the coming elections.” he said, adding: “PDP will take over Aso Rock and Kaduna State.”

Makarfi, on his part, reiterated call for Nigerians to join forces together and flush out APC in the elections.

Speaking on behalf of other PDP candidates, Katung said they were committed to delivering dividends of democracy to people of the district and by implication, the state.

“We will make laws that will be beneficial to the good people of Southern Kaduna, and you can hold us by our words,” he assured.

Dogara explained that southern Nigeria has ruled the country for 14 years, while the north has done the same for only 10 years. He, therefore, called for equity and justice in rotation of power, saying Nigerians should support the north to produce the next president.

He explained: “To those asking why a Muslim should succeed another Muslim, I will say to them that the truth is what every Christian is called to.

“And if we must say the truth, Jonathan is a Christian, Obasanjo is a Christian. Obasanjo ruled for eight years, Jonathan ruled for six years. If we sum the two together, we…I said we, because I am a Christian. We have ruled this country for 14 years. Buhari has ruled for eight years, and Yar’Adua ruled for two years, making a total of 10 years.”

“We can only be just by allowing the Muslims have a balance of four years. Also, the two Christian Presidents are from the south. So, the north has a balance of four years.”

Dogara added: “By the grace of God, Nigeria will receive liberation. But we must vote for Atiku and Okowa at the federal level, because that is the ticket that will unite Nigeria. That is the ticket that will rebuild Nigeria.”