Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has clarified recent reports to the effect that he might opt out of the 2027 presidential contest.
Atiku Abubakar said that contrary to the reports, he would run for the nation’s topmost job.
His clarifications come against the backdrop of statements made by Professor Ola Olateju of the Achievers Unuversity, Owo, who represented him (Atiku) at the defection of several top political figures to the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), in Lagos at the weekend.
Atiku was quoted by Olateju to have said that his commitment to the evolution of a better Nigeria outweighed his quest to be President, a significant statement which was interpreted to mean that Atiku was not enamoured about occupying Aso Rock at all costs.
According to Olateju: “Atiku Abubakar’s plan is to build a better Nigeria. It’s not about being president. It’s about establishing a government that works for Nigerians. That’s why some of us are with him, not because Atiku must be president at all costs.”
Atiku Abubakar’s clarifications were contained in a statement by Prof Tunde Olusunle sent to THE CONCLAVE on Sunday night
Olusunle, who was Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential election, said he had a telephone conversation with the former Vice President during which the reports were clarified.
Read, in part, the statement by Olusunle: “In a telephone conversation with the respected journalist and media scholar, Tunde Olusunle, after reading the report, however, Atiku disowned the statement (by Prof Olateju).
“He spoke from his holiday home in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“‘I did not issue that statement.
“When people stand in for me at events, we preview my thoughts on the instant subject and what my contribution or intervention will be, so we are on the same page.
“In this particular instance, there was no engagement with me to distil my thoughts. Prof Olateju was not speaking for me.”
“According to the elder statesman, ‘I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs to be decisively rescued from the intensive care unit it has been consigned. The degeneration in our country, the level of poverty and pain, and the anguish are unacceptable. The accompanying deceit, the loss of values, the mega-scale, unimpeded thievery, and the absolute lack of accountability must disturb every concerned patriot. I will be offering myself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised homeland.”
Atiku, according to the statement by Olusunle, noted that the coalition which he was leading under the ADC was to galvanise popular support for the liberation of Nigeria.
He said a platform that was adopted just a few months ago could not be expected to engender upsets in by-elections.
He was quoted to have said: “ADC is leading a potent mass movement which will shock the world. We will upstage the status quo in a way that will leave doubters dumbstruck.”
Credit: The Conclave
