The Presidency says it will not be distracted by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
This was contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu referring to the meeting as a “well-rehearsed theater”.
He said “they will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and “I know it all” character of Chief Obasanjo”.
The Presidency’s reaction comes hours after Obasanjo said Atiku could perform better than President Muhammadu Buhari, if elected into office as he has forgiven his former deputy..
However, the spokesman to the President is of the opinion that the endorsement shows “ignorance of today’s politics”.
He said, “In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former President advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time.
“It also betrayed a lack of understanding of today’s politics which is about good governance”.
Garba Shehu explained that Nigerians voted for change in 2015 and a leader that ensures good governance “which only President Buhari and the APC can provide.
“Bent on these laudable goals, we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.
“We are busy on various national issues including the restructuring and the diversification of the economy, fighting corruption, terrorism and other threats to national security; increasing the availability of electric power, improving education, health, and providing long-delayed infrastructure – roads, rail, airports and so forth.
“Many governments have come and gone, but they did not care about some of these projects.
“We were talking about these things for sixteen years under the PDP and nothing was done”.
Shehu stated that the President is proud of his records of achievements which he says are verifiable.
“While that of the PDP is manifested by the devastating social and economic impact of large-scale corruption during their governance”, he added.
Malam Garba Shehu noted that President Buhari will not relent in the war against corruption because the ordinary people are the ultimate victims “if we surrender to corruption and let its perpetrators go unpunished.
”Abandoning the war against corruption is not an option. President Buhari is in this battle against graft because he cannot allow a few, rapacious, and selfish class of the elite to divert the resources meant for the well-being of the ordinary people to their private pockets”.
Shehu further stated that Nigerians trust President Buhari because they are convinced he is not in government for personal financial benefits.
“It is just eleven years ago that the former President and Vice President in their ugly fight for power accused each other of corruption. Nigerians are yet to forget all that”.
