In view of the 2019 general elections ,Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown a challenge to President Muhammadu Buhari, declaring that unlike what happened in 2015, he would defeat the president in the coming presidential election.
The Wazirin Adamawa hinged his assertion on his claim that many of the president’s men were unhappy with his handling of issues even though they would not tell him, but would rather wait to take their own pound of flesh during the coming elections.
The former vice president added that President Buhari had squandered the goodwill that helped him to win the 2015 election, a fact that had weakened his political base.
The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) has, however, faulted Atiku’s position, saying Nigerians will overwhelmingly vote for President Buhari because of the sterling qualities they saw in him in 2015.
It was revealed to Journalists Sunday that Atiku had, last Friday, resigned from the APC, citing alleged failure by the current administration to improve the quality of life of Nigerians and neglect of the youth by the administration.
In an interview with Mr Dele Momodu for his column which was published yesterday, Atiku said he would get government working from day one if Nigerians vote for him in 2019.
“I will definitely beat him this time, he has wasted a lot of his massive goodwill. A lot of people are disgruntled but (are) keeping quiet and lying low.” Atiku said.
“Our youths are suffering terribly and now they are being sold into slavery.”
While stating his leadership credentials, Atiku said: “Everyone knows my track record of inviting and attracting a good team and giving them the opportunity to work professionally. Nigerians are tired of leaders who cannot think big and work big.”
In a contrary view , the APC national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said President Buhari would easily defeat the former vice president should he stand for re-election.
“I believe that the reasons Nigerians voted for President Buhari in 2015 are still pertinent. They voted President Buhari because they needed a leader who has integrity, strong on corruption and capable of defeating Boko Haram.
“If he stands for election in 2019, we believe Nigerians would still vote for him,” Bolaji said.
On his part, an APC chieftain, Alhaji Umar Duhu said it was ‘absolutely preposterous’ for Atiku’s to think that he could ever defeat Buhari in any political contest.
Duhu also declared that Atiku had not an important figure even in Adamawa politics, hence he could not be a stumbling block to President Buhari should he decide to contest the presidential election.
“The president has defeated him in so many instances and they are there in public domain. He (Atiku) is not a factor in the Adamawa politics, much less to pose a serious threat to the president.” Duhu said.
“He can never defeat the president in any election and that is sufficiently clear.”