In this analysis, EGWUAGHA AMARACHUKWU in Abakaliki feels the pulse of the people towards Atiku Abubakar’s presidency, as posters flood the landscape
Background The issue of herdsmen, Boko Haram has been a serious one in this country, as thousands of lives have been lost to the killings by headsmen in difference part of the country.
The country’s economy has dwindled, consequently, Nigerians are suffering in penury under the present government, negating the much touted change mantra by All Progressives Congress under President Buhari.
Many residents have said things have not augured well with them in this administration.
The questions now are: who will remedy the situation? Who will save Nigeria from herdsmen’s arsenals? Who will make lives of Nigerians worth living again? Campaign posters As 2019 is near presidential aspirants are posting their posters at strategic places across the length and breadth of the country, some are moving round the country consulting with stakeholders and leaders even as they began their intrigues all over the place with each claiming to be the solution to the people’s problems.
Atiku in Abakiliki Just few days ago, Alahaji Atiku Abubaka made a one day working visit to Ebonyi state, seeking patronage from the people, in what seems to be a convincing words he said, People’s Democratic Party is the answer.
Waziri of Adamawa who x-rayed the importance of team work urged PDP faithful in Ebonyi to join his train.
The former vice president who was given a colourful reception by the party was taken round the gigantic projects completed by Governor David Umahi.
Opinion poll conducted by Blueprint in Abakiliki, shows the people believe Atiku could be the answer.
Honourable members at the Green Chamber Abuja, Lazarus Nweru Ogbe representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency and Anayo Edwin Nwonu representing Ezza North/ Ishielu Federal constituency described him (Atiku) as a man with wealth of experience in leadership, having been in the realm of power before.
The lawmakers who were not in a hurry to draw conclusion attributed their support for Atiku’s leadership of the country.
Nigeria needs Committed Leaders Their words: “If Atiku gets the presidential ticket he will do well because he performed well when he was the vice president, but all that Nigeria needs now is a perfect person.
“We have leaders in Ebonyi state, David Umahi is our leader, we are happy we are here today to join the people to welcome Atiku, If eventually the leadership of our party the PDP led by our governor in the state decides to adopt Atiku as our candidates so be it, we cannot go outside the decision of the governor, I know how to follow my leader and my leader is leading me well and that is why we are welcoming Atiku today.
If our leader thinks he is the best candidate he becomes our best candidate.
“Atiku is a Northerner, he is a Fulani man the same stock with the serving President.
If the party decides to give him the ticket it will be good because it will become Fulani versus Fulani man and then we down the East, South south will augment what the Northerners have to give our candidate the needed victory and then by the grace of God if our leaders here endorses him then we have endorsed him.
“But for capacity Atiku Abubakar he has the capacity haven gathered experience as the vice president he has what it takes to be the next president of this country”.
Also some State Executive members in Umahi’s administration, Chief Donatus Njoku commissioner for Environment, Chief Sabinus Nwankwoegu commissioner for Education, and the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Umahi on Cement and Salt Production, Mr Anthony Okechukwu, in their separate opinions said, “There is nothing like somebody going back to the house you built, He is a renowned politician, we is well known and born leader, so they laid the foundation of the democracy we are into now, it is a good thing so I look forward for him actualizing the mission he is here for because it said that God’s time is the best.
Positive change The issue is that everybody knows that Atiku is a leader.
“Atiku’s visit is one of the good things that is happening go the state.
We need a change in a positive direction not in a negative direction.
The election will produce the best candidate but Atiku we all know is grounded.
If he emerges as the president like I said we need a positive change, a lot of things has gone under water, a lot of things has wrong, a lot of people has not gotten what they are supposed to get, I believe he is going to change this country for better.
“PDP will reform is the party this country, look at it now the body of old layers coming together to say they are APC, look at what is happening in this country they are killing human being as if they are killing broilers”.
Voice of youth The youths are not left behind.
They opined that the former vice president performed well as a vice and would likely do better.
Elder Sam Igwe, PDP Youth leader said: “He has done a good job he is likely going to become the next Nigeria President, but all these depend on the delegates, by August or September there will be primaries for the presidency, that is when we will know who is going to become our presidential candidate and that is even when we as party men will come out and support any candidate that emerges.
“For me Atiku is moving very well and others are moving very well I believe as they progress the future will be unfolding.
“But one thing I will not forget to tell you people is the way things is going on in this country, yesterday as he said many political parties has got married with PDP, to have a bond with PDP to front a particular candidates in all the states of the federation, in all the senatorial and representatives election and House of Assembly elections.
“This has signified that PDP is the landlord, and has come to take over, they have come to take what belongs to them for Nigerian’s were not crying during the era of the federal government of PDP ,but today people are crying, people are dying, people are already running from their different homes.
“And we the youths we believe in somebody that will come to redeem us despite the religion, the tribal background, we need somebody who is on ground who knows how to relate with people that is our aims and objectives.
Comarade John Ogodo said, “PDP presidential primaries hold by August and the teaming supporter of the party all over the country will decide whom the cap fits.
“Atiku is one man that has been tested and trusted.
He was the vice president unfortunately during the time he served as the vice president his boss had an illness that often take him out of Nigeria, he was the man that took charge by my assessment he performed well.
“So I have the confidence he is going to end the killings.
Comrade James Orji ambassador for Voter’s Card “For me I wouldn’t want the government that ruled us before to come back, the federal government is not doing well, people are hungry a lot have died.
“FG has a bogus empowerment programs that does not work.
The programmes do not get to the people that need it, If the government will allow these empowerment programs to get to the targeted persons Nigeria will improve, people will be busy in their different endeavors, talents will be but in use.
These empowerment programs are N-Power, BOI and so on.
“Atiku I know very well, his party system, his leadership style, he will perform better, he will put this country in shape if he energies”.
Nwele Uchechinyere, Director of Women Akubaraoha women Assembly, stated her opinion thus, “From what I watched on television I believe Atiku is the best presidential candidate.
He fought for this country even though he was among the people that destroyed PDP he was the first to recognize his sins and seek for atonement, he was the first person to run out of APC before others followed suit that’s why his name is raining everywhere.
“He is going to stop the killings because he loves Christians though a Muslim, if he was bad then killings would have indirectly interfaced, if he is the president these killings would have ended, because he is focused and has the progress of this country at heart.
