Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide says Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji does not possess the key to Igbo presidency as he erroneously ascribed to himself.
Atiku had while addressing party faithful in Enugu State on Tuesday, said he would be the stepping stone to Igbo presidency.
But the secretary-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro in a statement said, Atiku’s claim is laughable and diversionary.
Mazi Isiguzoro said: “First, all polls conducted so far show that Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), is cruising to victory, not as an Igbo presidential candidate but as the ‘real unifier,’ and the face of the Obidient movement.
“A new Nigeria movement that transcends ethnic, religious, and political party divides, like none before it. How can Atiku claim to be a stepping stone to a futuristic Igbo Presidency, when Nigerians united across ethno-religious lines overwhelmingly support Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party, (LP), Presidential candidate as President of Nigeria, come 2023. Not merely, because of ethnicity but because of what he represents – fresh hope for a New Nigeria. How can Atiku be a stepping stone when all recent polls show him, not even coming next to Obi but a distant third?
“Foremost Nigerian leader and aviation entrepreneur, as well as the erstwhile Chairman/CEO, 7STAR Hangar/Airlines, Engr Isaac David Balami, captioned the mood of the nation two days ago when he said, he was endorsing Mr Peter Obi based on 3Cs; Competence, Credibility and Capacity.
“In terms of competence, credibility and capacity, Mr Peter Obi is in a world of his own. Neither Atiku of the PDP or Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, comes close to him. Sincerely, Nigerians are really yearning for a Third Force Presidency due to their terrible experience under the APC and PDP Governments since 1999. Engr Rabiu Kwankwaso, FNSE of the New Nigeria Democratic Party (NNDP), even has a stronger presidential profile based on the 3Cs than those of the old Brigade like Atiku and Tinubu.
“Atiku should realize that the Obidient train has left him behind. This is no longer time to talk about Igbo Presidency, Yoruba Presidency, Hausa Presidency, Ijaw Presidency, Tiv Presidency or Fulani Presidency. He should Obidiently listen to Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the Afenifere Leader who said, to keep Nigeria one everyone must be Obi-Datti compliant. As such, he should emulate elder statesmen like President Obasanjo, Pa E. K. Clark, Pa Olu Falae, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Gen. T. Y. Danjuma, Rtd, etc to ensure that Nigeria does not miss this unique opportunity for restoration through Peter Obi”.
Ohaneze Ndigbo said, Atiku’s current promise is worth nothing to Ndigbo.
“In fact, the promise is laughable and diversionary, coming at this time when Nigerians want to interrogate his presidential profile vis-a-vis the 3Cs. Based on weighty allegations leveled against him by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for serially reneging on his promises. How much is his promise worth?
“In 2019, Ndigbo supported him and gave him over 80% of his votes, even when his people rejected him and he could not even win in his State – Adamawa. Yet, he, the Waziri Adamawa carefully dodged signing any written agreement with Ndigbo that he would serve only one tenure,” the statement further said.