Atiku Reveals Why He Held Rivers Rally In Abuja

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has revealed that he decided to “shelve” his presidential campaign rally in Rivers state due to safety concerns.

In a tweet he shared via his verified Twitter page after he met with Rivers’ PDP stakeholders in Abuja over the weekend, Atiku Abubakar stressed that his “ambition is not worth the blood of anyone” that was why he had to shift his rally from Rivers to Abuja.

Naija News recalls that there has been a lingering political tussle between Rivers’ Governor Nyesom Wike and Atiku which has made it impossible for the PDP presidential candidate to hold his rally in the state.

Last week, Atiku’s presidential campaign rally was supposed to hold in Port Harcourt but was cancelled due to security threats.

“Last night, I met with Rivers State Stakeholders in Abuja. I discussed with them why the Rivers Recovery rally was shelved”, Atiku tweeted on Monday, February 20.

“I assured them that Rivers State and its people will remain dear to my heart long after the elections”, he added.

At the interactive session Atiku held with Rivers’ PDP stakeholders at the conference room of the Sheraton Hotels in Abuja on Sunday, the PDP presidential candidate promised to complete the East-West road if voted into power.

Atiku said: “The completion of the East-West Road will be a cardinal priority commitment for our presidency. The international airport in Port Harcourt will receive increased attention and investment to become a truly regional hub.

“Amongst other dividends, the transportation infrastructure in Rivers State will receive priority attention. The existing seaports will be expanded to increase economic activities that will have a multiplier effect on the economy of Rivers State for the prosperity of our people.

“The uncompleted rail line from Onne Port to join the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri rail line, which has been on the drawing board for decades, will be completed speedily, while the deep seaport in Bonny will receive immediate attention.

“The international airport in Port Harcourt will receive increased attention and investment to become a truly regional hub.

“The youth of Rivers State, like other states in the Niger Delta, will benefit from our dedicated economic empowerment scheme as a means of dealing with the persistent youth restiveness and discontent which have sometimes created security challenges.

“Among other initiatives, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) will be revamped and restructured to become an enduring platform for unleashing the boundless creative energies and potential of our youths in Rivers State”