A Non-Governmental Organization, known as Integrity Support International Association, ISIA, has put its support to the presidential bid of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
The group noted its decision to pitch a tent with the PDP on Atiku’s personality, “a great Nigerian politician with a good sportsmanship attitude and spirit of getting a goal.”
While addressing journalists during a press conference in Abuja, Tuesday, National coordinator of the group, Alhaji Maliki Salawu said the over 11 members of ISIA have been sufficiently sensitized on the need to elect Atiku and Okowa as the next President of the country in 2023.
He noted that the group in 2019 backed the re-election of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), Salawu added that the group has no permanent political link with any party, insisting that its major concern is the welfare and prosperity of Nigerians.
According to him “The exposure and political experience of Atiku/Okowa will go a long way in bringing their personal careers and professionalism to bear in bringing good governance and discipline on all tiers of government unlike other candidates who have no track record or career exposure.
“Courage and integrity have been seen and tested in the lifestyle of Atiku Abubakar which has kept him going for those years in this presidential ambition. His good attitude in giving Nigerians good service for their votes.
“The man Atiku Abubakar is a better exposed gentleman that has made marks on investment and service across the geo- political zones of this great nation. He has friends and relatives across the geo-political zones which makes him a better politician for a better Nigeria.
“Atiku Abubakar’s economic vision for this country is second to none among the other candidates, when you look at his campaign blueprint with the experience he has gathered as a former vice president and a successful businessman and seasoned administrator.
“Nigerians will experience an economic turnaround for the good people of this nation that will eradicate poverty, insecurity, poor educational management posture and better health care plan for this nation.
“In 2019, we supported (Maj. Gen.) Buhari and he won. We have been around in the past six years but we want to state here that this is not about PDP or any other party. It is essentially about Nigeria and what is good for us,” he added.
That said, Salawu urged the aggrieved governors led by Nyesom Wike to return to the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in their own interest and that of the party.
Firing a subtle shot at Governor Wike, Salawu noted that “those in glass houses don’t throw stones. If you are in a glass house and you are throwing stones,you are an enemy to yourself and those in that house.”
He further called on the G-5 turned Integrity Group to support the party in its quest to win the presidential.election, stressing that the call for Iyorchia Ayu,the PDP national chairman’s resignation must be discontinued in the interest of the party. “There are provisions in the PDP constitution that brought Ayu to power. You have to go back to those provisions to remove him,” he advised.
