Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar tells SUNDAY ABORISADE his strategies to win the 2019 presidential poll if he emerges the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party
What do you think qualifies you to be Nigeria’s President?
Atiku Abubakar has experience in both the public and private sector. As Vice President, my support for democracy is without match. My headship of the economic management team propelled the era of privatisation which stimulated the economy to grow at 7seven per cent annually.
In the private sector, I have a track record of job creation and I had created more jobs than any other aspirant. I have the ability to see opportunities and turn them to wealth creating opportunities.
I have the ability to pool the best minds together to move the country forward and has proven that both in the public sector and my private businesses.
I am a detribalised leader who sees Nigeria as his constituency.
Atiku has a great understanding of governance; he is a person with vision, passion, policies and political will to get things done.
How do you hope to defeat others in the primaries?
Atiku Abubakar is the one candidate with experience across the regions, states and local governments of Nigeria; he is not the candidate of one area or denomination. He has support across Nigeria – from youth, farmers and business people. The delegates of PDP, from across Nigeria will recognise Atiku as the one candidate who can defeat the APC and bring jobs and opportunities, unity, security and development to all of Nigerians.
Do you have faith in the PDP’s ability to conduct a free and fair primary?
Yes, I have faith; PDP is one. We should all remember that it was a PDP government that, in 2015, held the freest and fairest elections in Nigeria’s history. The PDP also understands that if it is to win in 2019, the elections must be free and fair. So, this primary will be free and fair.
What should Nigeria expect in the election if you win the primary?
In 2015, Nigerians voted for change and in the last three years, they have grown increasingly distressed about the change they received – job losses, businesses closed, farmers impoverished, our people being divided more than ever before and rising insecurity. Atiku Abubakar will run a campaign across all of Nigeria that begins addressing these issues. His campaign will be like his government talking and working with the states and people of Nigeria to restructure and create jobs, wealth for farmers, and business opportunities for youths and lifting Nigerians out of poverty. The campaign will be the start of getting Nigeria working again.
