Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of causing deep divisions among Nigerians and cautioned against returning him to power in 2019.
Atiku, who has indicated interest in the presidency, made this known in an interview with veteran journalist, Dele Momodu.
The Waziri Adamawa said the president has lost touch with what is required to successfully govern a diverse nation and Nigeria cannot afford to have another Buhari in 2019.
He said, “the leader Nigeria needs urgently is one who can unite the country and heal the deep wounds, not another Buhari who would further divide Nigeria and deepen the wounds.
“Check my records Dele, my office as vice president reflected the best of Nigeria; the guys were young and vibrant, and I gave them the wings to fly.”
He also addressed the insinuations that he is corrupt and has been barred from entering the United States.
The ex-vice president said, “I have thrown the challenge repeatedly that anyone who has any corrupt charges against me should come forward. I never stole government money. Do you think President Obasanjo would not have exposed me if there was any such act of stealing?
“The youths have every right to ask and be answered convincingly. The youths of today are confident and bold. No leader can treat them as nobody. But in my case, they have been lied to about Atiku and fed with a lot of propaganda. I applied to America for visa which was not granted. A man who is afraid of being arrested won’t go near the American embassy, it is simple logic.
“If America says come today, I will board the flight and go there soonest. Perhaps, America was fed with lies about me. It is normal in politics. The Indian and Kenyan leaders could not visit America at a time. America is not like Nigeria where we convict people on the pages of newspapers.”
Atiku equally accused the Buhari administration of glorifying “backwardness”, saying he will run the economy better.
“I will definitely create an enabling environment for our business icons and young entrepreneurs to thrive. What I see today in this government is the promotion of poverty and the glorification of backwardness. How can a government be gloating that they are fighting corruption when thousands, if not millions, are losing jobs and even their lives?
“Nigeria has to be managed as serious business and I’m certainly equipped in that aspect more than any other,” he added.
Atiku is a democrat, One I strongly believe can wrestle power back to the good people of Nigeria from a nepotic President occupying the Villa today.
We need a Nigerian as President not a Southerner or Northerner President, who will promotes oneness and Atiku Abubakar is that man.
Pdp will be doing Nigerians and the party a great favour to consider him.