Atiku Might Contest Against Buhari In 2019?

In its quest to recapture power by any means in 2019, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun clandestine moves to make sure that the All Progressives Congress loses the 2019 presidential elections.

The party has identified the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, as the man that can help them regain power, and they have started making moves aimed at luring the Adamawa- born politician to their fold.

Daily Sun reported that meet­ings on how to woo Atiku back into the outgoing ruling party ended with resolutions on how “to get the former VP back into our fold (PDP), the party’s 2019 presidential ticket will be placed before him.”

A source who was at one of the meetings said the assignment of getting Atiku back has been given to the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, who is reportedly very close to Atiku.

In the event that Atiku, turns down the offer, the PDP’s plan B is to woo the Kano State Governor, Dr Ra­biu Musa Kwankwaso.

Asked why the PDP is pushing for Atiku’s return, the source explained that, the choice of Atiku “is because of his presidential ambition which has come alive stronger soon after the victory of Gen Buhari at the polls, his deep pock­et, his nationwide network and ability to provide leadership for the PDP across the country.

“If Buhari got it at the fourth round, Ati­ku can also get it in his fourth attempt in 2019, that is why some of us in PDP believe he’s central to our party’s comeback to power in the next general elections.

“Should all entreaties to Atiku fail, which is 98 per cent unlikely, Kwankwaso, will be another viable option because of his firm grip on Kano which has always produced the largest bulk votes in recent elections. Beside this, the Kano governor though now a Senator-elect equally enjoys wider acceptability across the country like Atiku. Don’t forget he came second in the APC presidential primary despite his late entrance into the race,” the PDP chieftain involved in the plot to entice Atiku said.

Speaking on the issue, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, said he could not confirm or deny if there were pressures on the former Vice-President to return to the party, but noted that the PDP would be happy to have Atiku join its ranks.

According to Metuh: “I can’t confirm that because there is nothing concrete to it. But every genuine and well-meaning member of our party would want Atiku back. He is a great mobiliser. So, why not? At this time that we are down, he is a great asset and can be a rallying figure. I think every genuine PDP member would wel­come such a move.”

Meanwhile, a former president of the country, General Olusegun Obasanjo, has also recommended a way forward for the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in governing a new Nigeria.