Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will Wednesday formally declare his
presidential ambition on the platform of the opposition All Progressives
Congress (APC).
The former Vice President’s declaration is, however, coming against the
backdrop of his bid being endorsed by a South-west caucus of the APC.
A press statement by his media office in Abuja, said the former Vice
President would make his formal declaration at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua
Centre in Abuja at 10 O’clock in the morning.
According to the statement, the activities marking the declaration would
be a largely youth-focused event to emphasize Atiku’s passion for the
challenges facing young men and women in the country.
Youth economic empowerment is one of Atiku’s cardinal objectives because
he regards them as the fulcrum around which the development and future of
Nigeria revolves, the statement noted.
“In particular, the former Vice President is concerned about the alarming
youth unemployment and he focuses on his policy objectives on the
development of entrepreneurial skills for our youth so that they don’t
have to depend entirely on the limited, if not elusive government jobs,”
the statement added.
Meanwhile, a caucus of the APC in the South-west zone has endorsed Atiku
Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the party in the 2015
presidential election.
The caucus, known as the Atiku Abubakar Collectives, made the announcement
of its endorsement of the former Vice-President at an interactive session
with Atiku yesterday.
The group, which members were drawn from the six states of the South-west
and Kogi State, and led by Chief Bode Ajewole, said its endorsement of
Atiku was predicated on the former Vice President being the most
experienced among all the likely contenders for the ticket of the party.
According to Ajewole, “Atiku has shown that he has the capacity to restore
the unity, peace and prosperity of our great country.
“At such a time like this when our country is at the threshold of
disharmony fuelled by mutual suspicion along ethnic and religious line, we
need a strong leadership. A strong leadership by a bridge-builder; someone
who understands the intricate nature of our geo-politics and strengthens
the bonds of our unity as a people who share a common hope in a Nigeria
for all Nigerians.”
Responding to the endorsement of Atiku, Director General of Atiku Abubakar
Campaign, Professor Babalola Borishade, said that it was important for
supporters of Atiku to engage everyone within the APC and mobilize support
for Atiku to emerge as the flag-bearer of the party.
According to him, “Our focus now is how we win the primaries of the party.
In doing so, we have to dread very carefully. The strategies for each
state are different. I understand that some of you are national delegates
of the party. But what is important is to build the momentum in the party
that will make our candidate emerge victorious and avoid being
confrontational with other contestants. We should make sure that the party
stands united during and after the contest for the presidential ticket.”