The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has come under fire following his advice to the Northerners ahead of the 2023 general election.
Atiku had while speaking at an event in Kaduna declared that, “What the average Northerner needs is somebody who’s from the north and also understands that part of the country and has been able to build bridges across the country.
“This is what the Northerner needs, it doesn’t need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate, I stand before you as a Pan-Nigerian of northern origin.”
Reacting, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement on Sunday by its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro said by Atiku’s utterances, he had finished whatever was left of the PDP.
“We find it very weird and disappointing that an elder statesman and a presidential candidate, in the person of a one-time Vice Presidential candidate of Nigeria could mount the podium at a public function and play such an ethnic card.
“We are worried that at such a time Nigeria is seeking for a unifier, Atiku is further pushing the country into disintegration; he has shown that he lacks the capacity to lead and unite this country.
“His ambition has already destroyed the PDP and pushed it from number one to third if not fourth force. Now, he wants to bring the same division into the affairs of the country. We ask Nigerians to say no by rejecting him stoutly at the polls,” Ohanaeze said.
The apex Igbo group added that the G-5 Governors led by Nyesom Wike have been proved to be the true lover of the country.
According to him, “we can see that the party has even suspended the presidential campaign after the flag-off in Uyo recently. All is not well with the team PDP.
“Nobody can trust a man who said he is a stepping stone for the actualization of the southeast presidency in the future, but within 48 hours, he offered the same Presidency to Gov. Wike. It’s absurd to see how the PDP’s Presidential team now hawks counterfeit promises.
“For the sake of equity and one Nigeria, Governor Wike’s group should sustain the Ayu Must Go campaign. We are solidly behind the G-5 Governors. Drafting David Mark, Ibori and co to pacify Wike is medicine after death. PDP is out of the 2023 contest, the battle is between Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu.”
Source: Daily Post.
PRESS RELEASE
Why North Needs A Pan-Nigerian Leader
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has said that the credential of national inclusivity, not ethnicity should be an ideal that the Northern part of the country should examine in electing a new president for the country in the 2023 elections.
Atiku made the remarks when he featured as a guest of the Arewa Joint Committee interactive sessions with various presidential candidates of political parties on Saturday in Kaduna.
He noted that with a political career that spans more than three decades, he stands shoulder high as a Northerner who has built bridges of unity across the country.
“I have been in politics for more than three decades and I am a Northerner. So, if you ask me why I am the best candidate to lead Nigeria in 2023, I will simply say that what Nigeria needs is a pan-Nigerian president, not whether he is Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa-Fulani”.
The session, which took place at the Arewa House was attended by high ranking leaders of various North based socio-cultural bodies.
Atiku, while delivering his speech at the event, highlighted the key policy agendas which he seeks to pursue if elected president to include promoting national unity through deliberate actions that will secure mutual trust and confidence amongst all tendencies.
The other policy areas that the former Vice President enumerated are reforms in education, agriculture and reversing the economic downturn of the country.
Signed:
Paul Ibe
Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar
Presidential candidate of the PDP and Vice President of Nigeria
(1999-2007)
