Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, says if he is elected president, it will be a presidency of the Imo people.
He said this on Saturday at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Owerri, the Imo capital.
The former vice-president said he has a history with the Igbo dating back decades, adding that he understands the challenges affecting the south-east and will provide solutions if he becomes president.
“For me, it is homecoming to Imo again. Do you know why it is homecoming? The first chieftaincy title to be given to me in the south-east was given to me here in Imo state — nwanne de namba of Ngor Okpala,” he said.
“This Imo airport, we dashed Imo airport to the people of Imo, our community, the community to which I belong, the community that honoured me first in the south-east. That is why if I am the president, Imo is the presidency; it is your own presidency.
“I know we have security challenges all over the country. Let me tell you, when you elect me president, I will come here, sit down with you, discuss with you, and together, we will work out a settlement.
“I have been associated with the Igbo nation for many decades. I know that you are businessmen, traders, and so on. I want to assure you that if I have the opportunity and you elect me, business, trading will pick up again, because in my policy document, I said I am going to set aside $10 billion just to empower women and young men in business.
“So, there will be absolutely no need for any young man or woman not to have something to do. We will provide jobs. If you don’t want jobs, we will provide business for you — we will provide an environment where business will thrive.”
