Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was criticized yesterday by statesmen, politicians, ethnic nationality organizations, and the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council for what they called fanning the embers of division.
They disapproved of the former vice president’s polarizing, ethnocentric, and offensive remark, which, in their opinion, was intended to achieve quick political points this weekend.
Atiku, who is from the northeastern state of Adamawa, advised Northerners not to support the presidential candidates from the Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups in a meeting in Abuja that was hosted by the Arewa Joint Committee.
He said the North does not need an Igbo on Yoruba president, but “someone from the North.”
Atiku stressed: “I have traversed the whole of the country… This is what the Northerner needs. He (Northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate, or an Igbo. This is what the Northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of Northern origin.”
Director of Public Affairs and the Chief Spokesperson of Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo tweeted: “A northerner does not need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate.’’ – PDP’s Atiku Abubakar; “Church, it is time to take back your country.” – LP’s Peter Obi; “Though tongues and tribes may differ, our diversity is a promise for prosperity.” – APC’s @officialABAT. NIGERIANS, VOTE WISELY”
@TopboyChriss said: “Atiku is playing tribal card in the North, then playing the “Unifier” card in the South. A con man is a con man!”
Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo said: “A self-professed unifier who says “What the average northerner needs is somebody who is from the North and someone who understands other parts of Nigeria — not a Yoruba or an Igbo candidate” Red flag An Atiku Abubakar presidency would be more ethnocentric than Buhari’s!”
