A prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) group in Oyo State, National Mandate Group (NMG), under the leadership of former Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, yesterday, pledged to support the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 polls.
The group, however, distanced itself from the position of Governor Seyi Makinde that claimed he would not support Atiku.
In a statement issued after a meeting in Ibadan, the group said: “Atiku is the only candidate with the competence to fix Nigeria and correct the disastrous eight years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) misrule.”
The statement reads: “After extensive deliberation today, November 3, 2022, at Ibadan, Oyo State, we, the NMG, Oyo State chapter, being PDP leaders and members, who have joined together in support our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, wish to state and clarify our position concerning the upcoming 2023 general elections as follows:
“First and foremost, we appreciate the people of Oyo State for considering our party, the PDP, as the best option and voting for our candidates in both the gubernatorial and the presidential elections in 2019, and for your continued and undiminished support thereafter.
“We give our wholehearted and unshakeable resolve and commitment to supporting the PDP, Atiku and indeed, all other PDP candidates during the upcoming 2023 general elections. We are confident that Atiku is the best leader to rescue, reform and restore Nigeria to greatness.
“The NMG elders and leaders hereby vehemently refute, disown and deny any suggestion that the Oyo State PDP will support any candidate other than Atiku for the president.
“We deeply abhor and frown on any denigration or use of our Oyo State anthem, of which we are justly proud, and which is the heritage of all Oyo State citizens, regardless of religious or political affiliation, to imply support for any candidate whosoever vying for political office.
“It is totally unacceptable and demeaning to reduce the Oyo State anthem in the service of mere partisan politics. Our state anthem speaks of our rich and God-given frontline position as the pathfinder state and should remain inviolable and unsullied.”
