TURAKI VANGUARD REEMERGES WITH A NEW VIGOUR AND VISION IN ABUJA: DECLARES ALH. ATIKU ABUBAKAR THE PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT WITH THE CLEAREST VISION/CLEAREST ROADMAP TO MOVE THE NATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

By Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze

On the 22nd August, 2011 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, many witnessed the formal reemergence of the Turaki Vanguard, a socio political Group loyal to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Hitherto working below the radar in recent times, its Abuja outing was by all intent, an indication of Atiku's decision to run for the Office of President in the 2011 general elections.

Present at the Abuja event where National Executive Officers, zonal and also the 36 States Coordinators of the movement as well as intending members. The stellar antecedents of the group as a formidable political organisation can not be overemphasized given the prominent role it played in botching the third tenure ploy of the former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

Speaking at the event, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, paid glowing tribute to the members and leadership of the Vanguard in appreciation of their enormous contributions and sacrifices for the sustenance of our the Nation's nascent democracy and in making certain the rule of law is upheld. He saluted the courage of all those who suffered various forms of indignities and still stood firm in their support of the ideals of the movement.

Atiku Abubakar went further to state that by his candidacy in the forthcoming elections, the clearest vision by far for this country with a clear roadmap for its implementation will be brought to the table. He reiterated his vision of a prosperous, secure, peaceful, democratic, caring and confident Nation and listed the core areas for immediate intervention for his administration:

i. Employment Generation and Wealth Creation

ii. Power Generation and infrastructural Development

iii. Security, Good Governance and War Against Corruption

iv. Education, Health and Social Services

v. The Niger Delta.”
In conclusion, he stated his preparedness to provide the leadership needed for the realization of the vision. He called for the continued support of members of the movement and assured them of his tacit acknowledgement of their role in ensuring that Nigeria be worthy of its sobriquet “Giant of Africa”.

The new National Coordinator of the Turaki Vanguard, Hon. Oladimeji Fabiyi who took over the reins of leadership from the erstwhile leader Alh. Nasir Galla was a Senior Accountant at the PDP Headquarters from 2000-2006 and sacked by the then Ahmadu Ali Administration in April, 2006 for being very close to Atiku Abubakar . A graduate of Business Administration and a Masters Degree Holder in the same field has served in various Committees including Finance, Security and Mobilization in the PDP at the National level. In his remarks assured Alh. Atiku Abubakar of the unflinching support and commitment of members to make more sacrifices to ensure that against all odds, his dream of becoming the next President of Nigeria is realized.

He said whatever sacrifices they would have to face pales in significance when they recollect the challenges Atiku himself has had to cope with since 2006. He commended Atiku for his sheer doggedness and stated unequivocally without fear of contradiction that Atiku Abubakar remains a colossus on the political scene of Nigeria.

The six geo-political zones of Nigeria represented at the event through their leaders affirmed their support of Atiku and unreservedly endorsed his candidature for the office of President in 2011. The following leaders spoke on behalf of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria –Hon. Seyi Adedugba, South-West; Chief Inuk Ogban, South-South; Alh. Isa Haladu, North West; Mrs. Onyinye Nweze, South East; Alh Aminu Abubakar, North East and Hon. John Markudi,. In all their submissions, they assured Atiku Abubakar of the readiness of their zones to mobilize support his candidature whenever the need arises. Prof Maxwell Gidado, Hon. Greg Egu were some of the Associates of Atiku Abubakar that accompanied him to the event.

The National Coordinator, Hon Fabiyi Oladimeji later held a closed door meeting with both NEC, Zonal the 36 States Coordinators including the Abuja Coordinator where strategies and methods of electing Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria come 2011 were exhaustively discussed and members mobilized to go back to their various States to mobilize Nigerians into PDP and to ensure that Atiku flies the PDP flag in the 2011 Presidential election.

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
National Director, Directorate of Media & Public Affairs of Turaki Vanguard

23-08-10