Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, received a rousing welcome in Adamawa State after clinching the PDP presidential ticket.

This is just as over 160,000 people dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP in the state.

Atiku, who led chieftains of the PDP including former Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, the party’s vice-presidential candidate and Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, and PDP National Chairman of PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, to receive the decampees, promised to work with them.

“I have been serving the people since I joined politics 30 years ago and that is my promise to you all today. I believe that Governor Fintiri has done a good job and that we should join hands to make sure he wins his second term election,” Atiku said.

Receiving the new members into the PDP at the Ribadu Square in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Ayu said the rate of defection from the APC to the PDP was increasing by the day and an indication that the opposition party was waxing stronger.

“It is clear everywhere that the PDP is back. Today, we are here to take in new members into the PDP. Very soon, this venue shall be hosting the President of Nigeria who is your very own son.

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“I welcome the new entrants to our party and I therefore hand them over to Governor Fintiri. I urge the governor to continue with his good work in making Adamawa better than he met it,” Ayu said.

Speaking on behalf of the decampees in various electoral wards across the state, Hon. Shuaibu Babbbas, a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly from Fufore Gurin Constituency, affirmed their loyalty and commitment to the PDP “in its quest to oust the APC and fix the broken state of the country’s socio-economic and political fabrics.”

Earlier on arrival at the Yola International Airport, Atiku proceeded to the palace of the Lamido Adamawa, HRH Aliyu Musdafa on a courtesy visit.

In his remarks at the Lamido’s palace, Atiku said his presentation to Musdafa as the presidential candidate of the PDP gave him a sense of nostalgia because his political career would not have attained this mark but for the prayers and support that he enjoys from the Lamido, his palace, and the entire state.

In his response, Musdafa said he was pleased and proud to welcome Atiku home after his emergence as the PDP presidential candidate.

“Your triumph is not just a victory for this Emirate but the country at large as we continue to provide good leadership. I will implore you to use your experience in the task ahead of you.

“As a detribalised Nigerian, I am confident of your capacity to lead the nation. Your investment in human capital development is a good example of your contribution to society.

“I pray that the Almighty remains with you as you strive to become the next president of this country,” he said.

The Star