The political pressure group of the late General Shehu Yar’Adua, Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) has unanimously adopted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

At a meeting held over the weekend at the Yar’ Adua Centre in Abuja, the group said it was gratifying to note that one of its founding members emerged a candidate of one of the biggest political parties in the election.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by its National Chairman, Chief  Bode Âjewole, the group urged its members across all political parties to mobilize and ensure that Atiku emerges Nigeria’s next president, which they said had always been the wish of its founding father.

They also called on key players in the electoral process to play by the rules, stressing that everything possible must be done to make the 2019 elections free, fair, peaceful and credible.

“The tension that has been generated by the 2019 elections is getting to a disturbing proportion and we call on all actors in the electoral process to ensure that peace ensues before, during and after the elections.

“We call on the security operatives to be impartial and to focus on their main mandate of preserving and protecting the lives and property of every Nigerian and foreigners alike.

“It is noteworthy to point out that even though membership in this political family cuts across all the major political parties in the country, it has always been our prayers that one of our own be given the opportunity to showcase our outstanding leadership qualities, irrespective of the political parties that throws up such a candidate for as long as he/she is a member of the political family.

“We are conscious of our position as proud members of the oldest political organization in contemporary Nigeria and it is noteworthy to say that this particular election cycle presents itself as a test to the virility of democratic governance in our country,” the communiqué read.

The convener of the meeting, Chief Ejiofor Onyia said the PDM chose to come together having drifted apart for years, stressing that the bridge dreamt about by the late Yar’Adua would have been completed in the event of Atiku’s election.