SHOCKER | Buhari’s campaign groups endorse Atiku for 2019

Members of President Muhammadu Buhari campaign groups at the weekend endorsed Atiku Abubakar for President in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

The members, under the aegis of IamAtikulated2019, said that majority of them came from the various support groups that vigorously campaigned for Buhari as President in the 2015 general elections.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja at a press conference, the national coordinator of the group, Ike Bishop Okoronkwo, called on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, to reject President Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress in all future elections.

The Coordinator, who said that their objective is to support Atiku to be chosen as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 presidential election, added that “majority of the members of this platform, came from the various support groups that vigorously campaigned for General Muhammadu Buhari as president in the 2015 general elections.

“We wish to use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, to vehemently reject President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the APC in Nigeria in all future elections.

“Let us put away petty sentiments and come together as one united people in the interest of our country Nigeria, to support and vote Atiku Abubakar and his party, the PDP, in the upcoming general elections, because, “patriotism” as they say, has no political party.”

Okoronkwo, who boasted that his group will match words with action in the forthcoming elections, explained that the choice of Atiku was because, the Adamawa born politician “is a detribalized leader and a uniting figure, a good bridge builder who bridges gap between tribes, and modest in religion. He relates equitably with Nigerians in business and in politics without greed or sentiment.

“He is an astute politician, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Perhaps, his philanthropy is most visible through his promotion of education at all levels, particularly higher education.”

Appealing to PDP governors, present and past party leaders, stakeholders and members of the party, and all well meaning Nigerians, to support the candidacy of Atiku, the group said that they have identified Atiku as the only one with the character and content, political will and capacity required to bring the needed transformation that Nigerians are yearning for.

They, however, enumerated the needless killings of innocent Nigerians by Fulani Herdsmen and other militant groups, the inability of the present government to stop the killing or bring the perpetuators to book, the worsening joblessness among Nigerian youths, epileptic power supply amidst high tariffs, the increasing rates of kidnappings, violent crimes and cultism cases across Nigeria, the undue and unwarranted sufferings that Nigerians are currently subjected to due to scarcity of petroleum products, among other as the reasons why they are rejecting Buhari-led APC government.

Meanwhile, Atiku yesterday congratulated renowned scientist and pharmaceutical pacesetter, Dr. Isa Odidi, on his exploit as being the first Nigerian and African to establish a high tech pharmaceutical facility in China.

The former Vice President noted that Dr. Odidi’s achievements in Canada and recently in China are a welcoming addition to the glowing credentials that Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora have built over the time.

Atiku observes that Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora like Dr. Odidi have earned a reputation for entrepreneurship, hard work and are worthy ambassadors of the country.