ICHEOKU ENDORSES ATIKU ABUBAKAR FOR PDP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY.

Icheoku says, thankfully Atiku Abubakar has successfully navigated all the obstacles festooned his way as he steadfastly seeks Nigerian presidency. Both the courts and the presidential screening committee have given him the long awaited 'all systems go' green-light and the Turaki of Adamawa is now ready to do battle with all those forces holding Nigeria back, both directly and through the proxy of the other guy. It has been a long widening road of travel, dating back to early nineties with the PDM, to a two term vice presidency, to a presidential run and finally now to another attempt at flying his party's flag as her presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2011 presidential election. 

That Atiku Abubakar is a proven democrat is a fact. That Atiku Abubakar is well prepared for the office is a fact. That Atiku Abubakar is knowledgeable of what is required of the office is a fact. That Atiku Abubakar has something to offer Nigerians is a fact. That Atiku Abubakar has something to prove is also a truism. That Atiku Abubakar will consolidate democracy in Nigeria is a fact. That Atiku Abubakar will observe the rule of law is  a fact. That Atiku Abubakar will restore hope to the hopeless Nigeria is a fact. Tha Atiku Abubakar is fearless and courageous, two cardinal character traits of a leader, is given. Admitted he allegedly dabbled into some not so clement but yet to be proved financial dealings, or at best illegal transactions in the past; but no one said that an angel must come down from On High to lead Nigerians. Under the peculiar Nigerian circumstances, Icheoku says, Atiku Abubakar is good enough for Nigeria and above all better that the other guy/s. 

Be that as it may, Icheoku is mindful of (1)the need to respect and uphold the gentleman's and in some quarter's understanding, express agreement of the PDP on rotation via zoning of the presidency; (2)that the presidency zoned to the north is still subsisting since the north has not completed their zone's presidency term and (3)that it is the North's implicit right in 2011 to complete their term. Icheoku therefore, hereby make the following declarations:- (a)Atiku Abubabar is eminently qualified to be Nigeria's president; (b)Atiku Abubakar is well prepared for the job of Nigeria's president; (c)Atiku Abubakar knows what to do with the office of Nigeria president; (d)Atiku Abubakar has the passion, energy, stature, personality, political sagacity, demeanor and above all, a reasonably good head on his shoulders to effectively serve as Nigeria president. 

It is also the zonal turn of the North to produce the next Nigeria president in 2011 and the North has given Nigeria Atiku Abubakar, as their consensus northern candidate. Atiku Abubakar's candidacy will help consolidate democracy and unite Nigerians more as they groom and nurture their young democracy. The other guy is none of that and he is no Atiku Abubakar; the last one year of his providential presidency is not a good testimonial that he is properly seized of the office's requirements. 

Therefore, in discharging our duties to properly inform the public and to the extent possible, help persuade opinions, Icheoku hereby endorses Alhaji Abubakar Atiku as the better and preferred  presidential candidate, for the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming 2011 presidential election. Icheoku  urges the party's delegates to choose Atiku Abubakar  accordingly, considering in addition to our preambles, what is in the best interest of a united Nigeria and in order not to unnecessarily overheat the polity. Atiku Abubakar is highly qualified for the job and he comes well prepared to discharge the duties of the office satisfactorily too. Icheoku says it is about time a "can do" personality is put in charge of affairs in Nigeria to drive the future course. Atiku Abuabakar is who Dr. Democracy ordered for Nigeria at this time in order to move the country forward; and Professor Chukwuma Soludo as his vice president, will definitely compliment his presidency and bring added intelligentsia to the office!