The Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign council has reacted to the endorsement of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LB) by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, describing as the former president’s veiled attempt to seek a third term in office.
Daniel Bwala, the spokesperson of the council in a statement on Monday said Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of Obi, is a “stylish” attempt by the former president of a third term in office by proxy.
Obasanjo had in a letter to Nigerians on 1 January, expressed his support for Peter Obi for the February 25 election, noting that the Labour Party candidate has all it takes to be the next president.
“None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge,” Obasanjo said of Obi in his letter.
“Others like all of us have what they can contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria collectively.”
However, his endorsement has come under attacks.
Bwala said that the former president is known for attacking every president who ruled after him because he believes only himself had done well in office.
“In his 2014 or 2015 letter, he accused GEJ of training snippers to kill citizens, even though it was proved to be a false allegation, in his 2018 or 2019 letter, he accused Buhari of trying to divide Nigeria and cause secession, and today he is writing another letter to accuse two other candidates whom he has vowed would never ascend to the nations loftiest seat, even though he made a u-turn and supported Atiku in 2019 because of hatred for Buhari whom he played a role in bringing him to power. So it’s all about him. To him his wishes and will equals the wishes and will of the nation,” the Atiku campaign council spokesperson said.
According to him, the general elections would be decided by Nigerians and not based on the former president’s letter.
“The letter is not new, the contents are not surprising, but it seems his legacy betrays his assertion in the letter. Baba OBJ, Nigeria has moved on, please allow our democracy to grow and respect the will and wishes of the Nigerian people.”
