Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), Atiku Abubakar has said that the demands of the Nigeria of today
cannot afford him the luxury of a vacation from politics.
The former Vice President said in a reaction to the claims by an aide to
President Jonathan that he (Atiku) was on sabbatical, and will soon return
to the ruling PDP, that the nature of his politics is full time and leaves
no room for a vacation.
“You know, it’s funny how some people put politics and vacation in the
same sentence. Let me assure you: politics is a serious business, it is
hard work, and for me at least, it is more than a full time job. I really
don’t know how you can seriously think of taking a vacation, in a country
like ours, with the politics we have,” Atiku is quoted to have said in a
statement by his media office in Abuja.
“As a patriot and democrat, I’m always seeking what is best for Nigeria. I
did that when we built the great assemblage of the finest men and women
under the umbrella of the PDP to get rid of the generals; I did that when
I left and returned to the PDP, and I did that when I helped to turn the
APC into a serious opposition party. When I toured our country, and
listened to the hopes, fears, and expectations of Nigerians from all walks
of life, I said the APC is the final bus stop, and that it is the end of
the line. Because it is, for me,” Atiku said.
Atiku Abubakar, however, acknowledges that “on the long walk to democracy,
you may come to a point where you have to go where no busses have gone.”
“So: some say I’m a PDP man to the core: I’m asking you, what does this
even mean, what is the PDP?”
According to him, “you know where I stand: I want a competitive democracy,
true federalism, a government that creates conditions for people and
business to thrive, and keeps out of business and people’s lives, and I
want a country that is united and proud of its diversity.”
“Do you think this is what the PDP stands for and do you think this is
what the APC can deliver?” he queries.