2019: Bayelsa Igbo Leaders Drum Support for Atiku

By Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja

Leaders of Igbo community in Bayelsa State have declared their readiness to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2019 general election.

One of the leaders, Chief Chinedu Maurice Amaku, who made the disclosure to THISDAY Thursday after a meeting with the executive members of the community, said their interest in Atiku’s candidature is as a result of the manifesto he presented to Nigerians.

According to him, the manifesto is a clear proof that the PDP is ready to carry various geo-political zones and ethnic nationalities along, if given the opportunity.

“We as Igbos have endorsed Atiku during his maiden visit to Bayelsa in June this year and since then, we have prayed that he emerges as the PDP presidential flag bearer and as God would have it, he won.

“Now that he has won, we on our part have serious role to play in order to deliver bulk vote to him because we understand what it takes for a man to win election. Although, there is no doubt Atiku as a person has the necessary quality and capability to win the election next year, but still all the Igbos in Bayelsa is for Atiku and ready to work the talk,” he said.

Also contributing, the Co-coordinator of External Relations for the community, Mr. Chris Ochiri, and his assistant, Chief Sunday Nwosu, attributed the resolve of the Igbo community to back Atiku on how the President Muhammad Buhari-led government allegedly relegated Ndigbo by depriving them of benefits in the present government.