Ex-agitators have thrown their weight behind the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the Nigerian Presidency in 2019.

The agitators declared that, in line with the directive of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), they would commence campaign from November 18 under the aegis of South- South Atiku/Obi Support group.

The ex-agitators, in a statement signed by King Para Ekiyes and Mr Eki Ebis, assured the people of the Niger Delta that Atiku, as a long-standing friend of the region’s political leaders, would not abandon it upon election as president.

The group, while drumming up support for Atiku, noted that besides fighting poverty, the PDP candidate would also ensure that those not captured by the present amnesty programme would be included for a stable Niger Delta.

It sued for peace among the ex-agitators and urged them to be ready for grassroots campaign which the group would use to drive the programmes and policies of the PDP.

The statement read in part:

“The South- South Atiku Support group comprising of ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region want to formally endorse the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr Peter Obi for the 2019 Presidential election.

“We as ex-agitators would ensure that the people of the Niger Delta region should vote massively for Atiku. Atiku is a trusted and tested leader. He is God- Fearing and has feelings for all parts of the country.

“ It is only Atiku that can bring back prosperity and stability to Nigeria. We want INEC to be impartial and allow the votes of the people count. Atiku would ensure the development of the Niger Delta because of his relationship with our leaders like late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Chief James Ibori.

“We know that a vote for Atiku would ensure that all Niger Deltans not captured in the amnesty programme would have the opportunity to be captured.”

•Sourced from Daily Sun report