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Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, will today hold a stakeholders meeting with South East leaders in Enugu as part of consultation and sensitisation ahead of the commencement of the campaign.
The Eastern Updates reports that Atiku will be accompanied by his running mate in the presidential race scheduled for next year and Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; national chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu; former Senate Presidents, Bukola Saraki and Anyim Pius Anyim, Chairman of PDP Presidential Council and Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Director General of Atiku campaign organisation and Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel and many others.
This is coming as South East PDP has said it would receive Governor Okowa at the meeting as an Igbo son, who has come home to felicitate with his kinsmen.
Read Also: 2023: Why The North Must Not Support Atiku – Ohanaeze
Sources revealed that Atiku deliberately scheduled the stakeholders meeting ahead the commencement of the presidential campaign because of the importance he attaches to the South East which has been a backbone of the PDP.
The PDP presidential candidate, it was gathered, wants to use the meeting to reassure the South East that it is not only a cherished part of the PDP but also solidly part of his aspiration and what he stands for.
‘Atiku will use the meeting to tell South East that it is a cherished stakeholder in PDP and his presidential aspiration. He has always identified with the South East and believes that the region will benefit immensely from his presidency if he wins the election,’ an ally of the former vice president told reporters.
It was gathered that Atiku would use the meeting to also tell South East PDP leaders what the zone stands to gain by supporting him.
In a related development, South East leaders have said they would receive Governor Okowa as a true Igbo son irrespective of the fact that he is Igbo from South South geopolitical zone.
The Eastern Updates gathered that Gov Okowa will be treated with all rights and privileges an Igbo son would receive in Igboland and anywhere in the world.
