Ahead of 2023 general election, the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) on Tuesday issued Certificate of Return (CoR) to governorship candidates of 26 States including three incumbent governors seeking a second tenure.
The party also refrained from issuing CoR to candidates from Kano and Ebonyi states due to legal constraints.
In a certificate presentation ceremony which held at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata House Abuja, National Chairman of the party, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu in his remarks expressed optimism that the party will sack the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in the next general election.
He said, “We are very confident that all the 13 states of the PDP will be retained because our governors have performed very well.
“Most of them performed very well. We don’t have any fears that the people will vote them back to power or their successors to power in those states where we don’t have governors.
“People have seen the ineptitude, the incapacity of the APC-led administration from the governorship level to the presidency and I’m sure by next year people will be voting PDP so we are also very sure that we will capture most states“.
He urged the candidates to carry all the aspirants along in the campaign train and even beyond to ensure that the PDP remain more united and strong.
Also in his remarks former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar assured the party that he will join hands with all the candidates to ensure victory of the party in 2023.
“I want to assure all of you that we will work together as a team and make sure you are all brought back elected as governors in your respective states, and i will ensure we work together as a team in every state of this country, to enthrone a PDP government.
“The question of saying that we are going to give a quarter or so to the ruling party must not arise in this election”.
Atiku reminded the candidates that the task of winning general election can be achieved if they are united.
Also in his remarks, Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed on behalf of his colleagues said that there will be synergy and cooperation with the governors to ensure the party forms the next government.
Meanwhile, Ogun state governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu has assured the party that his emergence as the candidate of the party is a challenge for him work harder and deliver the state.
He said that for a very long time, Ogun state chapter of the party had been broken into fractions and unable to hold any congress for a very long time.
“We know the journey is too far. We still have many odds to across and we’re not perturbed by the job ahead because we are driven by needs to set our people free from the shackles of mis governance. We take this as a challenge to work harder and we’re particularly grateful that our people and the party for the platform. PDP has given us this opportunity to go forward and rescue our state”.
He said that he will go further and reconcile with all aggrieved party members and even move beyond the party to make sure that all hands are on deck to sack the ruling party.
“It is now a duty for all concerned to go forward and do reconciliation and I can assure you that we have already embarked on that duty. We will continue to reach out to those that feel that they have a grouse. Am sure that with time, we shall have total reconciliation and we shall even extend hands of fellowship beyond the party and make it an intra party thing because we can even see fellow brothers from other parties trying to join our party now and am sure that after their convention, we shall be welcoming them”.
The aspirants that received the CoR include Gov. Seyi Makinde Oyo, Gov. Ahmadu Fintri Adamawa and Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi states.
Other were Peter Mbah Enugu, Ladi Adedibu Ogun, Prof. Uche Ikonne Abia, Oborevwori Sheriff Delta, Pastor Umo Eno Akwa Ibom, Siminialayi Fabura Rivers and Sandy Onor Cross River state.
Also among them were Mustapha Sule-Lamido Jigawa, Kefas Agbu Taraba, Titus Uba Benue, Sa’aidu Umar Sokoto, Isa Ashiru Kaduna among others.
