Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara has said evidence shows that the race for the 2023 presidency is between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party candidate and ex-Anambra Governor Peter Obi.
Dogara took a swipe at the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he always dances at his campaign rallies because he has nothing to say, alleging that the former Lagos governor has staggering allegations of fraud and moral corruption against him that weighs down on his integrity and capacity.
He said the former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the PDP remains the best option for Nigeria at this crucial time.
Dogara was speaking as a keynote speaker in Jos during the Arewa Christian Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) day of prayers, awards and book dedication.
The former Speaker rated four of the leading presidential candidates and score them according to what he described as their tract records, visibility, good social relations virtues of unity and brotherhood.
Concerning Atiku, he said: “God forbid that we should imagine that he is perfect but we cannot deny that he is by far the most experienced and that what he has done for the Northern Church has no known parallels in Nigerian’s history.”
The former Speaker added that “This was one of his major appeals to some of us who endorsed his candidature. In case we have forgotten, let me remind us of Governors Boni Haruna and Jolly Nyame who governed Adamawa and Taraba states for 8 and 10 years respectfully with the full backing of Atiku.
He also argued that Atiku was his only backer at that level when he ran and won the speakership race nearly 8 years ago stressing that the former vice president said clearly then that since the President is a Muslim and the Senate President was going to be another Muslim if we must not spit on the legacies of Sardauna and other founding fathers of our nation, the position of the speakership must go to a Christian.
According to Dogara Atiku came under serious pressure to change his position but he held firm to his conviction until he won the race adding that among the first two, Atiku remains the best presidential option for the national judging from experience, performance and social relations established over the years.
“Believe me there are other compelling stories that time will not permit me to share. In addition, Atiku has a strong partner in a Governor who is not just a Christian but a man of abiding faith in Nigeria and our people. I am convinced that together they will provide the needed leadership to unite Nigerians of all creeds and lay a solid path to prosperity for all.”
Commenting on Peter Obi, he said: “As for the Labour candidate, I don’t have much to say about him because I don’t know him and that’s what scares the daylight out of me. At the level I have operated in Nigerian politics, I am supposed to know a number of things about him but regrettably, that is not so.
On the former Kano State Governor, Musa Kwankwaso, of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Dogara said NNPP has not carried a nationwide campaign required for the presidency.
“The crucial role we can play as Christians is to examine the character of the candidates running for offices especially the highest office in the country and disallowed those of them that we know are not a reflection of our moral ethos,” he said.
(Daily Sun)
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