Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has sent a message to President Muhammadu Buhari saying Nigerians will decide who will be president between them by 2019.
This was in response to President Buhari’s remark that his popularity was waxing stronger.
The president made this statement when he went on a two-day trip to Kano.
Buhari said: “I am overwhelmed with the massive reception I have received and definitely, since this is partisan politics, I think it has sent a clear message to the opposition.
“Even going by the details of the election results in 2003, 2007 and 2011, it was very clear that nobody could even dare to rig my
scores from the elections in Kano.
“It has been so consistent and I don’t think I have the vocabulary to express my thanks to the people of Kano.
“I am very grateful to God and the people of Kano for the complete trust you have in me.
“My problem is Nigeria and I have been involved in almost all the instability Nigeria experienced – the civil war, the coups and
counter-coups. That was why I said during my swearing-in that “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.
“Nigeria is my target and I will continue to maintain focus.”
The Punch reports that Paul Ibe who is the spokesperson for Atiku reacted on behalf of his boss saying Nigerians will decide who is worthy in 2019.
He said: “The only thing I can tell you is that Nigerians will decide 2019. Nobody else can decide but Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) national youth caucus pledged to mobilise 15 million votes for President
Buhari if he decides to re-contest in 2019.
Haruna Okatahi made the pledge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that the youth wing of the party had concluded arrangements to commence
a nationwide house to house awareness campaign to showcase the achievements of the Buhari led administration since its
inception.
He listed some of the achievements to include release of 106 Chibok school girls, arrest of Boko Haram members, as well as
the recovery of 14 local government councils and territories previously under
Boko Haram control.
