By Uche Udude

The Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has again faulted Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), for their decision to offer Nigerians a Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2023 Presidential Election.

Atiku said the idea of presenting a Muslim-Muslim ticket to a sensitive multi-religious country like Nigeria has remained his fundamental disagreement with Tinubu, his long time friend.

As Atiku puts it: “My fundamental disagreement with Asiwaju since 2007 was on the issue of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, which led to my political departure from him.”

  Abubakar made this disclosure in a pre-recorded interview with Arise Television Breakfast Show, monitored in Lagos. 

In the interview, Atiku spoke on a wide range of issues.

Among the issues Atiku spoke on are economy, insecurity, his chances at the 2023 polls, and the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Bola Tinubu, and the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

He also commented on President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointments, which have been sources of controversy and criticism.

According to Atiku: “First and foremost, you have to give every part of this country a sense of belonging … We have 17 security outfits in this country and all of them being headed by one section of the country, that’s a very serious imbalance.”

On Tinubu, Atiku said: “My fundamental disagreement with Asiwaju since 2007 was on the issue of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, which led to my political departure from him.”

When asked about the threat posed by Peter Obi with his Obidient movement, Atiku said: “It will take a miracle for Labour Party, with no structure in the grassroots, to win the presidency. In the north 90% of our people are not in tune to Social media.” 

On why he chose Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate instead of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Atiku said: “I didn’t reject Wike. I picked who can deliver. Wike is brilliant and tenacious. Going by history, I had picked an Igbo as running mate in 2007, in 2019.  I still picked an Igbo for 2023.

“The committee that presented the three nominees was chaired the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom. They  recommended three people, so I picked one. People should be fair to me and state the facts.”

Reminded that some top PDP chieftains, including Governor Wike were not happy with his VP choice, Atiku said, “We are reaching out to Wike and talking to him, very soon, we will resolve our internal crises.”