BREAKING: Atiku in fresh move to woo TIV nation after Ortom face off

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has assured the people of Benue State that he would continue to stand with them through thick and thin like he has always done if elected President come 2023.

Atiku promised to stand with the people and wipe their tears just like he did during the pogrom at Zaki-Biam, Gbeji and Adoor, during his time in office as Vice President.

He spoke at the 82nd Synod of the Universal Reformed Christian Church aka NKST at Mkar, Benue State, on Thursday.

The PDP Presidential candidate who was represented at the event by the Director Election of the PDP presidential Campaign Council Professor Iorwuese Hagher and the Deputy Director Elections Management, North, Hon. Chille Igbawua, promised to run an all inclusive government based on the rule of law.

He said, “My party, the PDP, is sensitive to the balance of power between Christianity and Islam in this country. 

“For us to have a good life where peace is assured and we are guaranteed liberty and pursuit of happiness.

“Those who fail to respect our religious diversity have done it with usual impunity. They will not get away with it this time around”.

“I wish to plead with my friends who in these moments of despair and darkness have seen me as a Fulani man rather than the Atiku Abubakar they knew.

“ I remember how we stood together when I was Vice-President. I took a contrary position from our government against the pogrom at Zaki-Biam and Gbeji and Adoor. I stood with my Tiv brothers and sisters.

“We walked the streets of Zaki-Biam the day it happened, condemning the anti-Tiv violence and was vindicated years later when the army apologized.

“I am still the same person the Zege Mule u Tiv, I can assure you that when you elect me President, no Nigerian citizen will stay in bed unable to sleep because of foreign and domestic terrorists.

“My government will be a government of law and order and as a Pan-Nigerian President no ethnic group will feel excluded, marginalized and threatened.

“I am the same Atiku of yesterday I will stand by you as your President, Atiku Abubakar, the Zege Mule u Tiv and Waziri Adamawa”.

The former Vice President also stated that he will not only wipe away the tears of Nigerians but also rally the best brains and minds to lead Nigeria to national greatness, adding that he will guarantee religious  freedoms absolutely.

Atiku further assured that Benue State is his home just like Adamawa despite the challenges of present season of anomie and misunderstanding.

According to him, his relationship with the Tiv and friendship with prominent sons and daughters such  as: Governor Samuel Ortom, Senator Joseph Tarka, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, Senator George Akume, Chief Terry Waya, Senator Gabriel Suswam and the prominent roles he has given sons and daughters such as Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, Governor Ortom, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, Chief Mrs Margaret Ichen and Hon. Chille Igbawua in the management of his election nationally in 2023, was proof of his abiding faith in the people of Benue State.

He also called on the synod to pray against the evil forces that have held Nigeria captive, bred insecurity, destroyed the nation’s economy and created poverty across Nigeria.

Atiku also charged them to equally pray to God to provide healing for the land and to give Nigeria new leases of the nation in 2023 who would rescue Nigeria from plunging into the abyss.

The PDP candidate also restated his opposition to same faith ticket which he said does not take into account of the nation’s religious diversity.

In his response, the President of the NKST, the most Reverend A.D Anza said the synod will resist any attempt to make Nigeria a one-faith state, stressing that  the PDP Presidential candidate is a son of the soil and that the church will pray for him ahead of the 2023 General  election.

“Atiku Abubakar is our son, we are going to pray for him to God to grant him favour and actualize his ambition.

“This is because we have the complete believe that God alone gives power to which he wishes.

“We will not accept a same faith state and anyone who tries that sort of a thing is planning to plongue Nigeria in problems.

The Synod constitutes a sizeable percentage in this state and has the capacity that we need.

“For us in Benue State we have suffered allot from the hands of our enemies and we sincerely appreciate our Governor Samuel Ortom for his efforts.

” We are not going to say it is because a none Tiv man is at the helms of affairs that we are having this kind of Leadership, the fact is that our enemies have vowed to takeover our land and impoverish us.”