2023: Atiku accuses APC of ballot snatching, stuffing
By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure
A frontline presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of ballot snatching and stuffing in every election in the country since the assumption of office as a ruling party the country.
Abubakar, who stated this when he visited Ondo State PDP members and delegates as part of his consultations towards securing the party presidential ticket, also accused the APC of causing the disunity in the country.
He, however, promised to focus on the unity of the country and ensure everyone was carried along in the country.
While saying he would recruit more policemen and armed forces with equipment if elected, Abubakar noted that the country was dealing with various degrees of insecurity and adding more capable hands with equipment was one of the best ways out.
He appreciated the people of Ondo State for trusting him and voting for him as the candidate of PDP in the 2019 election.
Abubakar who urged the delegates to vote for him in the primaries and the people of the state in the general election promised to provide adequate funding for education.
He said, “Education is key to everything. We can only achieve this if you, as delegates support me and I win the nomination and I go ahead to win the election. Atiku Abubakar is a household name in Ondo State, that is why you gave me over a 35,000 vote margin In the last election. You deserve the best in this country.”
He dismissed the insinuations in some quarters that he was not strong enough and had been moving across the Southwestern states by road to meet delegates in the last couple of days.
Abubakar, also said he would support devolving more power to states and local governments so that they could deal with their problems effectively.
His words, “I will give Ondo a special place in my government. My number one priority is to unify the people of this country, how do I unify the people of this country? I will be fair to every part of this country, I will give a sense of belonging to every part of this country, and every part of this country will feel they are part of this country.
“It is that unity that will enable us again to live as one nation, one people under God. Every part of this country is dealing with one aspect of Insecurity or the other, I will be very tough on law and order.
“I will increase the number of policemen in this country, I will equip them, I will also increase the number of the armed forces, equip them very well, just like we did from 1999 to 2015. It is only when you secure the country, that there is peace, there is law and order, and you can deal with economic challenges.”
Fatai Adams, the Ondo State PDP chairman, while reacting assured Abubakar of winning the general election for the party by winning the election with over 100,000 margin.
