Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar told members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on Thursday that he should be considered because he already has 11 million votes.
Atiku said, “I am the best candidate. Under normal circumstances Mr. Chairman, this is a guy who already has 11 million votes in his kitty. And I think, as a party, you should give me the right of first refusal but we are in a democracy.”
Atiku has also requested that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) provide him first refusal in its presidential primary, claiming that he is the “best aspirant to win the election for the Party.”
“All I can urge you is to make sure that the way you have started, you also conclude by being very fair, very credible, giving every contestant the opportunity to face the electorate,” he added.
Based on the manner the NWC is handling the party’s affairs, he believes Nigerians can anticipate outstanding leadership from the PDP.
Atiku promised to reunite the country, and deal with security issues and the economy, recalling that during a visit to Niger state, “The governor told me, we have about twelve local governments, which are under the control of bandits. We don’t know how to conduct elections in those local governments. And I went to the President, I said, Mr. President, we need more policemen and the President said how can I give you more policemen when the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission are in court on who will recruit policemen.”
He described the incubent under President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership as a failure, saying, “We all know the APC has failed, but we should not take Nigerians for granted.”
