Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday promised to secure
the future of Nigerian youths as he formally declared his intention to
run for the presidency in 2015.
Atiku declared his presidential bid in Abuja with a promise to ensure “safe and secured lives” for the Nigerian youth.
“You,
the youth, endowed with fresh ideas, bubbling energy and a passionate
desire for change; you are the hope of this nation. Without you, we
really can’t talk of a future with hope and confidence.
“That is
why the 2015 election is about you. It is about how to ensure that you
live safe and secured lives. It is about making sure that you feed well.
“Making
sure you receive quality and affordable education and training, secure
good jobs, support your own families and contribute positively to the
development of our country.
“This is what a responsive and
responsible government owes its citizens; this is what our generation
owes upcoming generations,” he said.
He said APC’s adoption of the
Modified Open Primaries in selecting its flag bearers would ensure that
candidates who enjoyed the popular will of party members emerged.
He
expressed hope in the future of Nigeria, saying “it is inspiring that
amidst difficulties, and growing anxiety over the future of our country,
our people have refused to succumb to despair and hopelessness.
“This never-say-die attitude gives me immense hope and it is one of the reasons why I can never give up on Nigeria.”
Atiku
chronicled his early life, foray into public service and experiences as
the former number two man as platforms to better position him to serve
the people.
“I was born in a southern Adamawa village to a nomadic
trader and his wife who was also a farmer. I grew up as a shepherd and
farm boy and the only child.
“At 11, I lost my father. But with
the help of my mother and relatives, I pulled out of the doldrums and
faced the future with uncommon confidence.”
He said that he built a
“solid reputation as a diligent, hardworking, honest and innovative
staff” during his 20 years in public service.
Atiku declared his
presidential bid at the Yar’Adua Centre, flanked by party faithful,
including past governors and serving members of the parliament.
Abubakar is the first presidential candidate to publicly declare his intention ahead of the February 2015 presidential polls.
NAN
reports that Abubakar was elected Governor of Adamawa State in 1998 and
while still Governor-Elect, he was selected by the PDP Presidential
candidate, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as his running mate.
The duo
went on to win elections in February 1999, and Abubakar was sworn-in as
Nigeria’s second democratically elected Vice President on May 29, 1999.
No comments:
Post a Comment