As the Edo State governorship election draws near, a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said voting for All Progressives Congress in the state would be an endorsement of misery and hardship.

He urged the voters to ask themselves if the APC has made life better, or only deepened their struggles before casting the ballot.

He also said the APC has plunged Nigeria into an abyss of suffering and has sown seeds of poverty, despair, and insecurity.

Atiku made this known in a statement on his Facebook on Wednesday titled ‘The clear choice for a prosperous Edo State’.

“They criticized past leaders for raising fuel prices, yet today, they preside over an era where fuel costs soar above N900 per litre. Their cruelty and disregard for the plight of the masses are unmatched. A vote for the APC is a vote for the continuation of misery, hunger, and despair,” Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate during the 2023 general elections, said.

“Do not be swayed by the empty promises of the APC. Electing Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the PDP is not just a vote; it is an act of reclaiming our future. It is a choice to consolidate the good work of Governor Godwin Obaseki and to build a future of prosperity, dignity, and hope,” he added.

According to him, the power to break free from the chains of bad governance, and the power to chart a new course for Edo lies in the residents’ which must be used as a tool for change.

Atiku said, “The APC has donned the mask of a friend to the masses, but behind this veil lies a sinister reality. They have lured gullible voters with sweet promises, only to reveal their true nature— a party driven by a hunger for power rather than the well-being of the people.

“They have forsaken the ideals of governance, ignoring the cries of the common man while pursuing their selfish ambitions. Under their watch, Nigeria has been plunged into an abyss of suffering. They have sown seeds of poverty, despair, and insecurity.

“The once vibrant spirit of our nation has been dimmed by a relentless struggle for survival, where even the simplest of needs, like food, have become out of reach for millions. In this grim reality, our people are not dying of disease but of hunger. We stand at the lowest point in our nation’s governance.

“The APC has not served the people; they have served themselves. And when the people, rightfully aggrieved, have raised their voices in protest, they have been silenced, dragged to courts under charges of treason. Meanwhile, the APC’s leaders bask in luxury, indifferent to the hardship that grips the nation.”

The former vice president said despite the gloomy situation, the PDP candidate was ready to serve with competence and a genuine commitment to the people’s welfare.

“People of Edo State, the time has come to use the power vested in you. As you go to the polls, ask yourself: Has the APC made your life better, or has it only deepened your struggles?

“The answer is clear. Your vote for Ighodalo will not only bring change to Edo State but will also send a resounding message across Nigeria that we reject the deceit and self-serving ways of the APC.

“Let us march to the polls this Saturday, united in our resolve to bring about the change we so desperately need. Let us cast our votes for Asue Ighodalo and usher in a new dawn for Edo State. The power is yours. Use it wisely,” Atiku said.