Unlike ‘lifeless Buhari’, 71-year-old Atiku can lead Nigeria to the promised land— Ekiti PDP chair

The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Gboyega Oguntuwase, has used US President Donald Trump’s alleged description of President Muhammadu Buhari to dismiss his reelection bid.

Trump had allegedly referred to Buhari as “lifeless” after their meeting at the Oval Office.

Oguntuwase said, “Atiku is the option to a ‘lifeless president.’ He’s not dead, but he is not somebody that can be counted to lead Nigeria to the promised land.”

He said this as former vice president Atiku Abubakar visited Ekiti State on Tuesday to consult with Governor Ayo Fayose and the state PDP on his presidential ambition.

Oguntuwase told the former vice president that “we have an interest within this your project and by the grace of God, we want this your project to succeed. Nigeria shall laugh, Ekiti shall laugh.

While speaking in Ado Ekiti during the meeting, Abubakar said allegations of corruption against him are false.

He told delegates in Ado Ekiti to be united ahead of the 2019 general elections, saying PDP has a goodchance to win the presidential poll if leaders displayed uncommon commitment.

“I have always said that if they have any evidence of corruption against Atiku, please come forward. But nobody has been able to come forward,” he said.

He was received by Ekiti State prospective delegates as well as Governor Fayose.

He noted that he had a great blueprint to develop the country if elected.

Abubakar lamented that the country had sunk into more corruption in the administration of President Buhari. He also alleged that even during the civil war, Nigeria did not experience the level of insecurity as the present.

“I have come to appeal to you to support me in our party’s convention. I have the programme that will best develop this country. I wish to appeal for your individual and collective support,” he said.

Read also: As a doctor I can tell you Buhari is healthier than 80% of Nigerians –Ngige

He described Fayose as a straight forward person who spoke his mind when it mattered.

“I like the way you do things. You’re brutally frank. You say your mind, it’s a very rare quality. So, I commend for who you are,” he commended the governor.

“We will stand by you and the party in Ekiti until you retrieve your stolen mandate,” he said, referring to the July governorship election in the state won by the APC.

Responding, Fayose called for unity of the members of the party, saying Abubakar has what it takes to lead the country, praying that his efforts would not be in vain.

He also charged the party on unity, saying, “the greatest problem PDP may have is if we don’t go to that election as brothers and sisters.”

“The task before the PDP at this time is not about who has been in the party before and who is just joining. It is about rescuing Nigeria and its people from the calamity of this Buhari’s government,” Fayose said.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now