Atiku’s unnerves Wike, PDP members nationwide
* Obi talks of manifestos, trust
* Tinubu promises strong economy
Atiku Abubakar, Iyorchia Ayu and Nyesom Wike. What will happen to the PDP?As more Nigerians react to what they see as highly inflammatory comments uttered by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governor Nyesom Wike says he is still finding it difficult to believe the PDP flagbearer could have uttered those words.
Wike who returned from Spain on Monday described the “divisive and controversial” remarks made by PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar as unfortunate.
Expressing shock over the enormity of comments credited to a “unifier” and “bridge builder at a critical time in the nation’s history, Wike said the remark by the candidate has exposed the underlying reason for his continued insistence on equity, justice and fairness in the PDP.
The Rivers Governor urged the leadership of the PDP to apologize to the Nigerian people for the shocking and unwarranted utterances of the party’s flagbearer.
He said the PDP has a responsibility to erase the impression that it is a party that does not believe in equity and justice.
Across the country, Atiku’s comment at an Arewa meeting has left many, particularly in Southern Nigeria, on edge.
“Atiku has left most of us in shock”, a PDP member told the Telegraph on phone Monday night.
“All along I did not believe Wike. I thought he was being vengeful and eratic. Given the nature of the kind of speech Atiku delivered, I see Wike has been right this whole time.
“So, this is what Atiku and others like him mean when they talk to us about national unity and national Cohesion?, “a federal lawmaker from the South East asked.
Atiku had said: “I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country.
“I think what the average northerner needs is somebody who is from the north, who also understands the other parts of Nigeria, and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country.
“This is what the northerner needs. He (the northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin”.
Many are wondering how Atiku can be trusted to unify the country when he apparently feels only contempt for the people of the South as he aspires for the nation’s presidency.
Only time will tell. For now, spin doctors, opinion molders and public analysts are struggling to explain what Atiku really meant when he spoke.
Some are trying to blame the entire episode on the usual campaign slant that has promoted ethnic sentiments rather than issues.
Others are also citing the comment credited to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the flagbearer of the APC.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu says “emilekan”, meaning it is my turn.Tinubu who spoke in Yoruba before a typical South West audience said if the presidency would swing to the region, it would be his turn.
Meanwhile, Tinubu and Obi both from the South have had interactive sessions with leaders of the North.
Obi said all the front runners would come up with beautiful manifestos, but he noted that what is at stake is the issue of who would be trusted to deliver.
Rabiu Kwankwaso, stayed away, alleging a high level of compromise by organizers of the Arewa event.He lamented the protruding presence of poverty in the North and decried the high rate of school drop outs in the same region.
Tinubu urged Atiku to step aside from the race and reciprocate the kind gesture he had earlier exhibited during the ACN days.
He pledged that he would rescue Nigeria and create a resilient and productive economy.
Recall that the presidential flagbearer of the ANPP had declined to take part in the Arewa programme, saying the forum had already been compromised in favour of a particular candidate.