Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on voters in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states not to be discouraged and give up on democracy by the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver on its promise for transparent 2023 general elections.

In a social media broadcast on Wednesday targeted at voters in the three states holding gubernatorial elections this weekend, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last exercise affirmed that the objective of defeating the anti-democratic elements in the polity cannot be realized if they do not turn out in their number to vote.

He said: “The governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states are scheduled to take place this Saturday, the 11th day of November. These elections, which are classified as off-cycle, are the first set of polls to take place after the 2023 general elections in our country.

“Although there is a groundswell of dissatisfaction and resentment about how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) walked back on the promise of transparency in the last general elections, but that shortcoming is not enough reason for us to give up on democracy.

“Despite our disappointments, I urge us all to derive wisdom in the immortal saying of a former US President James Monroe that, ‘the best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.’

“Our objective of defeating anti-democratic elements in our polity cannot be successful if we refuse to go out en-mass to cast our ballot on Election Day. And, that is why, I am appealing to the good people of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to come out in large numbers this Saturday to vote for the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party in those respective elections.”

The former vice president urged the people in the three states to vote against the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) because according to him, they are being planted by known godfathers as stooges.

He explained: “In Bayelsa State, Governor Duoye Diri has given a good account of himself as a leader who is directly responsible to the people. His giant strides in the areas of infrastructure and social development speak volumes about how his government has been able to touch the lives of the people positively.

“In Kogi, Senator Dino Melaye has shown great capacity to stand on the side of the people and, by so doing, using every opportunity available to him to drive speedy development to his constituents.

“Electing him governor will afford him a bigger platform to do even more. In Imo State, too, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu has a rich profile of a political leader who is not only in touch with the grassroots, but is committed to protecting the interests of his constituents Senator Anyanwu is a political leader who I believe has what it takes to take Imo State to higher pedestal in good governance.

“While our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has put forth visionary leaders whose main objective is to serve the people, it is a different story altogether with our main rival, the APC. In Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo, candidates flying the flags of the APC are known to be stooges of some godfathers within or outside of those states.

“The elections this Saturday are absolutely about the people. It is absolutely not about any political godfather. That is why it is important for the people of Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi state to come out in large numbers to vote for the PDP and to reject the APC that has brought us untold hardship and misery.

“These elections are more about the fortunes of the common people, and it is my firm belief that when the people vote and stand to protect their votes, democracy wins. When democracy wins, the people invariably win.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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