Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Frontline Presidential aspirants and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he has a locked down 11 million votes in his kitty which already gives him an edge over other aspirants that will be on the 2023 Presidential election ballot paper.
The Waziri Adamawa further hinted that the economic collapse under the Buhari administration was similar to what obtained in 1999 when he was the Vice President and head of the economic team. He said that despite the deluge of economic woes facing the country at that era, the administration was able to get the country out of it’s pariah status and negotiated successful for debt forgiveness.
The Waziri Adamawa made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja when met members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to formally inform them of his ambition and woo their support.
Accompanied by Senator Dino Melaye, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, ABC Nwosu, the former Vice President told the party leaders that he was the most qualified and would have asked for right of first refusal but demanded level playing ground for all aspirants.
“I dare say Mr. chairman, I am the best candidate. Under normal circumstances Mr. Chairman, this is a guy who has already 11 million votes in his kitty and I think, as a party, you should give me the right of first refusal but we are in a democracy.
“All What I can urge you is to make sure that the way you have started, you also conclude by being very fair, very credible, giving every contestant the opportunity to face the electorate”.
The aspirant went ahead to state how he intend to transform the country if he is privileged to become the next President of the country.
“I also said in my declaration speech, I was also going to deal with the issue of devolving more powers and resources to the states, because I believe that is the best way to get Nigeria developed to its fullest capacity by giving autonomy and resources to the various components.
“There are some of us who grew up in the first republic when we had regions that were virtually in charge of everything, ranging from security to economy to everything, and we saw how we fed and we believe this is the best way to make sure that this country is developed to it’s fullest potentials
Atiku lamented the security situation of the country. He came hard on Buhari for failing to take the right decisions that has kept the country on its knees.
“About two months ago, I was on a visit to Niger State and I decided to pay a courtesy call to the Governor. The Governor told me, sir, we have about twelve local governments, which are under the control of bandits, we don’t know how to conduct elections in those local governments. And I went to the President, I said, Mr. President, we need more policemen and the President said how can I give you more policemen when the Inspector General of Police and the police service commission are in court on who will recruit policemen.
“I cannot be that kind of President. We cannot recruit policemen because the two agencies are in court and we have a president who cannot bring under control his own heads of departments, not even ministers,” he said.
In his reaction, PDP National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu acknowledged the close relationship which he has shared with Atiku and added that he will not work for any candidate but assured that members of the NWC will provide an enabling environment for free, fair and credible election.
“I’m saying this to make it clear that those who say Oh, because of my personal relationship with you, as chairman, I’ll work for you. Mr. Vice President, I will not work for you as an aspirant. I will work for all the 17 aspirants. It is left to you to convince the delegates of our party that you are the best. You have to market yourself, you have to work hard.”
“This National Working Committee for now will remain an umpire. We are not going to take side with any particular aspirants. I’ve said repeatedly that each one of you given the opportunity will run this country better than what APC has done or will be able to do”
