Why I am persistent in my ambition to rule Nigeria — Atiku – Newstrends
Connect with us

Politics

Why I am persistent in my ambition to rule Nigeria — Atiku

Published

3 years ago

on

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says his enduring persistence in contesting for the office of the president of Nigeria is borne out of his passion to rekindle the Nigerian dream.

Abubakar stated this while making his official declaration for the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja.

He said his dream for Nigeria was that there should not be any limit to what a Nigerian wanted to achieve if he was willing to work for it.

He said: “I have contested for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria a couple of times in the past.

“My enduring persistence is borne out of my passion to rekindle the Nigerian dream that I was privileged to live.

“Nigeria is a land of possibility.

“There is no challenging background that will make any Nigerian give up.

“I am a living witness to what is possible in Nigeria.”

Abubakar, however, said that the dream was not possible without credible and visionary leadership, adding: “That is what I want to offer to Nigerians.”

He said that presently Nigeria was in dire need of visionary leadership, adding that the fundamental principles and purpose as a nation had never been challenged as it was today.

READ ALSO:

He said: “I offer myself to rescue the sinking ship. Under my captainship, this ship will sail to a brighter course by the grace of God.”

He described the 2023 election as a referendum to decide whether Nigerians want greatness or continuous destruction.

He said: “It is a choice between two paths: the path of unity and progress or the path of division and backwardness.

“We need a new kind of leadership that will steer us to a positive path. In 2023, we want a President who has ideas on how to fix Nigeria. We want a president who understands, who inspires and is empathetic.

“As the election is fast approaching, we should not be distracted from the devastating conditions we are in now.”

Abubakar advised Nigerians to be united and fight their common enemies: the lack of unity, insecurity, poverty, inflation, and unemployment.

Abubakar said if elected, under his presidency, he would focus on five key areas: Unity of Nigeria, Security, Economy, Education and devolving more resources and powers to the federating units.

Describing himself as the unifier coming to bond the broken union of Nigeria, Abubakar said that his administration if elected would operate an open door for dialogue to hear the grieving voices of all Nigerians.

He said: “Under my presidency, there will be a new Nigeria, where everybody has an equal voice and is heard.

“Throughout my life, I have never looked at Nigerians as divided people.

“In my eyes, all Nigerians are the same.

“When I see you, I don’t see Yoruba or Hausa or Igbo or Fulani or a northerner or southerner; when I see you, I only see a Nigerian, and I expect the best from you.

“All Nigerians are equal and should be seen and treated equally.

“There is no unity without justice and fairness.

“That is why I will deliver leadership of justice and fairness.”

Abubakar also pledged to increase the welfare and number of all security forces as well as use of modern technology and intelligence to combat insecurity.

He added that if elected, he would create alternative sources of foreign exchange supply to Nigeria and reduce importation to increase the value of the Naira.

He said: “We will provide access to mechanized farming systems and develop the agricultural value chain.

“We must diversify our foreign exchange sources through exports of processed agricultural products.”

READ ALSO:

Abubakar also promised to reduce government borrowing, saying too much borrowing comes at the detriment of future growth.

He said: “We will operate a liberal economy that allows small businesses to grow through lower taxes and charges for small businesses and low-income earners.

“We will encourage the expansion of the private sector to spur economic growth.”

Speaking on the current fuel crisis in the country, Abubakar said that Nigerians could not afford to pay high petrol prices.

He said: “This is why we must ensure sufficient refining capacities within Nigeria.

“If we do that, petrol will be cheaper because it is locally produced.

“In the meantime, we will protect Nigerians from higher petrol prices through a new comprehensive energy policy.

“To provide an adequate and affordable electricity supply for every Nigerian, we will ensure sufficient investment in the sector.

“We will leverage renewable energies to power homes and commercial centers.”

Abubakar added that his administration would be guided by a consolidated and timely policy document by working together with Nigerians to update and review my existing policy document.

He also said that his style of governance would deliver inclusive governance, while urging every well-meaning Nigerian to join him in rescuing Nigeria.

He said: “My administration is going to be a transition of power from the senior generation to a younger generation.

“We will cut down the cost of governance because leaders must sacrifice first for the benefit of the people.

“We will set our fiscal budget within a realisable and realistic level so that we can reduce government debts.

“We will support and actively engage the private sector in building infrastructure and creating more job opportunities.”

In his remark, Governor Umar Fintiri of Adamawa State described Abubakar as a special treasure to Nigeria.

Fintiri said that Abubakar was probably the most experienced person in the race at the moment not only in the PDP but in the country.

He said perhaps what had delayed his victory was for a special purpose like this moment, like 2023 when Nigeria would be led by a person of his capacity, acumen and pedigree.

He called on all to support Abubakar for president not only because he was from Adamawa State, but because he was the right man for the task ahead.

He said: “He is a good mentor and a leader and the best candidate that can defeat the APC and win the election for our great Party.”

Also speaking at the occasion, a former Minister of Women Affairs, Inna Ciroma, said that at this moment what Nigeria needed was a person who has capability to lead, not zoning.

Ciroma said that Abubakar did not only have capacity to rule Nigeria, he was known for his special attention to matters that concerned women.

She called on the Nigeria women to support PDP and Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.

Former Lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaiye, said that Abubakar was the solution to major challenges to Nigeria problem.

Melaiye said that the PDP needed experienced person like Abubakar to win 2023 election and to unify Nigeria, not zoning at the moment.

“Abubakar is the only man that the Ibo, Ijaw and Okun people will be comfortable with to unify the country,” Melaiye said.

EAGLE

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Politics

Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau

Published

11 hours ago

on

March 23, 2025

By

Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau

Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau

Former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, has cast doubt on the ability of a newly formed opposition coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

Shekarau described the alliance, which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as a gathering of individuals with personal political ambitions rather than a structured and unified opposition front.

His remarks came just two days after the coalition’s formation was announced, with the stated goal of challenging Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Dr. Sule Yau, Shekarau remarked, “This is just a gathering of certain individuals with political ambitions; none of them has officially consulted their party leadership.”

READ ALSO:

He further argued that a coalition featuring prominent figures does not necessarily equate to an effective political alliance.

“The coalition of opposition figures is a good development, as seen in their recent meeting under what they call an opposition alliance. However, none of the key figures involved represents their party leadership,” Shekarau stated.

Emphasizing the legal framework for political mergers, he pointed out that only registered parties could formally unite, making the recent gathering an informal arrangement rather than an officially recognized coalition.

 

Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau

Continue Reading

Politics

PDP gives condition to back Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai in 2027

Published

12 hours ago

on

March 23, 2025

By

Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi

PDP gives condition to back Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai in 2027

Although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hasn’t made its official position known on the coalition being put together by some key leaders of the opposition to wrestle power from the ruling party at the federal level, All Progressives Congress (APC), and President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027, Sunday Vanguard understands that the PDP may join forces with them on one condition: The process will not lead to its loss of identity.

The PDP was in power for 16 years before the APC dislodged it from the Presidential Villa in 2015 when then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan lost reelection to former President Buhari.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, had, last week, announced his decision to join the coalition with other members of opposition parties to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Atiku was responding to a call by a former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam El-Rufai, to key members of opposition parties in the country to come together and fight Tinubu and APC in 2027.

El-Rufai had made the call while dumping the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In his response, the former PDP presidential candidate confirmed that he, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, and El-Rufai, among others, had kick-started a movement aimed at defeating Tinubu’s APC in the 2027 elections.

He spoke at a press conference organized by Nigeria’s key opposition leaders and political stakeholders to discuss the President’s controversial declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State.

When journalists asked whether the emerging coalition would be the major opposition force against the APC in 2027, Atiku did not mince words.
“Yes,” he declared.

Clarity

Sources within the PDP told Sunday Vanguard at the weekend that the party will expect the former presidential candidate to give clarity to his decision soon.

READ ALSO:

A member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter was “yet to be discussed at the official level,” said, “We expect him to shed more light on his decision as we proceed.

“For now, he is still a high ranking member of our party the PDP.

“We have been following his public statements and engagements and he hasn’t announced to anyone that he is leaving or has left our party.

“Yes, he left the party on two previous occasions over the past two decades -first to join Tinubu’s Action Congress (AC) to contest the 2007 presidential election; and in 2013 or thereabouts to join others to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Note, however, that on each of these occasions he returned to the PDP.

“Now, whether he is planning to leave to join others or he wants others to come join us to beat the APC rigging machine in 2027, only he can explain. “For now, from my interactions with members of his team, one thing is clear, this time around, Atiku’s move is a strategic step towards unifying opposition forces against the ruling APC.

‘Significant shift’

“His announcement of the formation of a coalition signals a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, as opposition leaders seek to present a united front against the current administration.

“The proposed coalition is expected to bring together key political parties and stakeholders, including prominent figures like Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

“It’s worth noting that Atiku’s decision might not be universally accepted within the PDP, as some members may have different opinions on the best strategy to challenge the APC in 2027.

“Nevertheless, Atiku’s move demonstrates his commitment to opposing the current administration and his willingness to work with other opposition parties to achieve this goal.”

Identity

The party chieftain further explained that a majority of leaders and members of the PDP are resolute in their desire to ensure that the party retains its identity.

According to him, a former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, spoke the minds of most leaders and members of the PDP when he dismissed El-Rufai’s call to dump the party and join the SDP.

Lamido said in an interview, “The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai. You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP.

“He (El-Rufai) once said that there are no elders in Nigerian politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP.”

Lamido equally questioned El-Rufai’s motive for dumping the APC for the SDP and his motivation for seeking power.

“Leadership is done with patience and vision, and doing things for the peace of the followers and the country as a whole”, he said.

While restating his loyalty to the PDP, Lamido said the party which he helped to form hasn’t done anything wrong to warrant him leaving to join another.

His views resonated with another leader and foundation member of the PDP, Chief Bode George, who has told whoever cares to listen that he is in the PDP to stay.

PDP gives condition to back Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai in 2027

Vanguard

Continue Reading

Politics

PDP crisis over secretary lingers despite Supreme Court ruling

Published

1 day ago

on

March 22, 2025

By

PDP crisis over secretary lingers despite Supreme Court ruling

The Supreme Court on Friday set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, delivered on 20 December 2024, which affirmed the removal of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  

In a unanimous judgment by a five-member panel, the apex court ruled that matters concerning the leadership or membership of a political party are internal affairs and should not be subject to judicial intervention. The court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter initially brought by Aniagwu Emmanuel.

READ ALSO:

However, the judgment, expected to bring an end to the crisis, has left the PDP leadership and members in disarray, as both parties in the suit—Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye—are claiming victory. The development threatens to disrupt the fragile peace the party has enjoyed since its organs unanimously endorsed Sunday Ude-Okoye following the High Court’s ruling in Enugu.

PDP crisis over secretary lingers despite Supreme Court ruling

Continue Reading

Trending