Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will Wednesday formally declare his<\/p>\n
presidential ambition on the platform of the opposition All Progressives
\nCongress (APC).<\/p>\n
The former Vice President’s declaration is, however, coming against the
\nbackdrop of his bid being endorsed by a South-west caucus of the APC.<\/p>\n
A press statement by his media office in Abuja, said the former Vice
\nPresident would make his formal declaration at the Shehu Musa Yar\u2019Adua
\nCentre in Abuja at 10 O\u2019clock in the morning.<\/p>\n
According to the statement, the activities marking the declaration would
\nbe a largely youth-focused event to emphasize Atiku\u2019s passion for the
\nchallenges facing young men and women in the country.<\/p>\n
Youth economic empowerment is one of Atiku\u2019s cardinal objectives because
\nhe regards them as the fulcrum around which the development and future of
\nNigeria revolves, the statement noted.<\/p>\n
“In particular, the former Vice President is concerned about the alarming
\nyouth unemployment and he focuses on his policy objectives on the
\ndevelopment of entrepreneurial skills for our youth so that they don\u2019t
\nhave to depend entirely on the limited, if not elusive government jobs,”
\nthe statement added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a caucus of the APC in the South-west zone has endorsed Atiku
\nAbubakar as the presidential candidate of the party in the 2015
\npresidential election.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The caucus, known as the Atiku Abubakar Collectives, made the announcement
\nof its endorsement of the former Vice-President at an interactive session
\nwith Atiku yesterday.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The group, which members were drawn from the six states of the South-west
\nand Kogi State, and led by Chief Bode Ajewole, said its endorsement of
\nAtiku was predicated on the former Vice President being the most
\nexperienced among all the likely contenders for the ticket of the party.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to Ajewole, \u201cAtiku has shown that he has the capacity to restore
\nthe unity, peace and prosperity of our great country.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAt such a time like this when our country is at the threshold of
\ndisharmony fuelled by mutual suspicion along ethnic and religious line, we
\nneed a strong leadership. A strong leadership by a bridge-builder; someone
\nwho understands the intricate nature of our geo-politics and strengthens
\nthe bonds of our unity as a people who share a common hope in a Nigeria
\nfor all Nigerians.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Responding to the endorsement of Atiku, Director General of Atiku Abubakar
\nCampaign, Professor Babalola Borishade, said that it was important for
\nsupporters of Atiku to engage everyone within the APC and mobilize support
\nfor Atiku to emerge as the flag-bearer of the party.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to him, \u201cOur focus now is how we win the primaries of the party.
\nIn doing so, we have to dread very carefully. The strategies for each
\nstate are different. I understand that some of you are national delegates
\nof the party. But what is important is to build the momentum in the party
\nthat will make our candidate emerge victorious and avoid being
\nconfrontational with other contestants. We should make sure that the party
\nstands united during and after the contest for the presidential ticket.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30180,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n