The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s claim that he is a stepping stone to Igbo presidency has been denounced by the Labour Party.
This was said by Atiku in Anambra State at the party’s presidential campaign rally, where he urged Ndigbo to vote for him to fulfill the Igbo presidency dream after his term was up.
However, Chief Innocent Okeke, the Labour Party’s National Vice Chairman for the South East, described Atiku’s statement as insensitive in a statement provided to DAILY POST on Thursday.
According to Okeke, “at a time when the country is on the verge of division, occasioned by nepotism and dominance of a particular region in the governance, and the yearning for unity and equity is on the front burner, is when Atiku chose to insult Ndigbo right at their home front.” This was Okeke’s statement.
“It is mockery of the highest order to ask Ndigbo to vote for an extension of the Northern-Fulani-Muslim ticket when the Igbo have not tested for the presidency since 1999 and the North has been in charge for ten years. The kleptocrats unexpectedly, consistently need to mislead their apparent focuses with talking points weighed down with stunts.
Ndigbo is being tricked by Atiku using outmoded political tactics. This time around, it will not work. In a nation where they have a significant stake, the populace is awake and dissatisfied with being treated as second-rate. Atiku would not have run for president, let alone sought votes from the South and Ndigbo specifically, since Buhari, a North African, will complete eight years in Aso Rock next year.
That’s what he added assuming Atiku accepted he was the venturing stone for Ndigbo to assume their legitimate position, he shouldn’t have been in the official race.
Funny thing is that Atiku was one of the people who came up with the rotation agreement in 1999 and has seen it go around. Now that Ndigbo has the undisputed right, why does he want to change the goalpost in the middle of a game? This cannot continue.
“One should keep in mind that no southerner or Igbo man opposed Atiku and Buhari, both of whom are from the north, with regard to the established rotational and zoning principles. The South stood by, patriotically, as a Northerner and another engaged in a battle.
Why is Atiku contesting and traveling to the East with the intention of insulting and mocking them now that it is the turn of the South and Southeast?
“Ndigbo has contributed to Nigeria’s current unity and success, and they continue to do so. They also do everything in their power to maintain that unity.” Nigeria’s reluctance to embrace equity is causing agitation. Ndigbo, the only tribe that builds homes everywhere, is the driving force behind any semblance of unity that exists. Therefore, it is disrespectful to claim that you are their path to the presidency.
Igbo people want to be president because they want to repair Nigeria, which has been damaged for a long time. They’ve presented one of their best candidates, who has a strong track record as governor.
“These elements that have been the architects of Nigeria’s problems should not be taken seriously as we look forward to a new Nigeria that emerges from reality and faith.
“You cannot go to Awka and claim that you are a stepping stone and then go to Kaduna and reveal that the average northerner will not vote for a president from the South, and you cannot repeat that the average northerner will not like to vote Igbo or Yoruba. Who do you intend to swindle?
“Atiku should be advised to withdraw from the presidential race, work on improving himself, and get rid of the old conspiracies that he and his cohorts have been using to instill hatred and division in their children. The LP chieftain went on to say, “This is the only practical way to be a uniter.”