Consider PDP for 2019 presidential election – Akpabio begs Nigerians

Former governor of Akwa Ibom state and Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio has pleaded with Nigerians to give the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a chance to rule the country again in 2019.

The lawmaker disclosed this to journalists in Abia State after an inter-denominational thanksgiving service in honour of the victory of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa in the Abia North senatorial rerun election.

According to him, “As a party, we are happy with the arrangement made so far. Last week, we met with the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party and we agreed that the timetable for the party congress remains sacrosanct. So, the convention will take place on May 21 to elect new leaders for the party.

“I believe it will go in a normal process. We are democrats. I believe strongly there will be no imposition and no impunity. As a party, we show our democratic disposition during the last presidential election. We lost the presidency. We congratulated the winners and we peacefully handed over power.

“Today, other countries are emulating the PDP. We expect the same thing to happen at the various congresses. Let me also use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians to consider the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 presidency.”

In an earlier speech at the thanksgiving service, the Senator representing Abia North in the Senate, Sen. Ohunabunwa said the rerun election was a war between him and the former governor of the state, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu.

While noting that two out of his three challengers had congratulated him and agreed to work with him, he admonished the former governor to put the interest of the senatorial district above personal interest.