endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar, by the leadership of the very well known and respected
voices of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities, is an incontrovertible
validation of the results of the scientific polls by the London Economist
intelligence Unit and the William and Associate team.
Saraki, who is the Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign
Council, also described the results of the scientific polls, as the true
reflections of the wish of the electorate.
He said with the latest developments, Nigerians have taken a position that
the false claim of integrity and anti corruption by President Muhammadu
Buhari is nothing but an election gimmick.
He further stated that the three major pillars – economy, security, and
anti corruption – which Buhari hinged the campaign for his reelection on,
have collapsed totally in the face of realities on the ground.
“The economy has been thoroughly mismanaged. Insecurity has become more
widespread and beyond their control while the government encourages and
nurtures corruption from within”, he stated.
He also expressed confidence that Atiku would win the election in a free
and fair contest based on the scientific forecasts by the two groups and
the evident massive nationwide support for Atiku by Nigrrian electorate.
Saraki urged Nigerians to take a cue from the gale of endorsements and
predictions by credible groups in favour of Atiku and vote wisely.
“The endorsements are like tonic to the work of the campaign organisations
to intensify our efforts as it is a testament that we are employing the
right approach and techniques to market our candidate to Nigerians.
“We have been able to change the narratives. We have debunked a lot of
lies and rumours being peddled around against our candidate and Nigerians
are now better informed.
“Leaders of the ruling party knows that they could no longer deceive
Nigerians because we have allowed the people to know that they are all
pretenders with their claim of integrity and anti-corruption posture.
“The fact that Nigerians expressed favourable opinions while credible
private agencies were conducting their research showed that Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar, will defeat the incumbent, President Buhari, next week
Saturday”, the Senate President stated.
It will be recalled that five socio-political organisations spread across
all the geo-political zones in the country namely, the Northern Elders
Forum, Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Middle Belt Forum, Ohaneze Ndigbo and the
Afenifere had on Sunday endorsed Atiku Abubakar.
The leaders who spoke on behalf of their groups were, Prof. Ango
Abdullahi, Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief John Nwodo and Mr.
Bitrus Pogu. They urged Nigerians to vote for Atiku because he would bring
the desired change to the country.
Before the endorsements, a field work conducted by the Pollster, Williams
and Associates, revealed that Atiku will defeat President Muhammadu Buhari
in the February 16 presidential election
The agency had, in a similar field work in 2015, predicted the defeat of
President Goodluck Jonathan in the last presidential election, using same
methodology it employed now.
Similarly, a forecast by the Economist Intelligence Unit in Africa, has
revealed that Buhari will be defeated by Atiku in next week’s presidential
poll.