Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed confidence that he would win the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential ticket for the 2023 general elections.
Speaking to journalists after visiting former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday, Atiku, who was defeated by Goodluck Jonathan in the then ruling party’s presidential primaries in 2011, claimed he has never failed to win PDP’s presidential ticket and he is confident he would win it this time.
“Have I ever failed to win the ticket? I’m confident,” Mr Atiku said when asked if he has confidence in winning the PDP ticket this time around.
Mr Atiku also said he would make an official announcement of his interest to contest for president in 2023 while dismissing criticisms that he is too old to lead the most populous African country.
“Let the youth compete now. It is democracy. Let them compete for it,” Mr Atiku said, challenging youths who feel he is too old to be president.
Mr Atiku as the PDP presidential flag bearer in the 2019 elections but was defeated by incumbent Muhammadu Buhari.
Atiku campaign groups have also been moving around different parts of the country.
When he visited Abia State last month, Raymond Dokpesi, former chairman of Daar Communications who is among the frontline promoters of Atiku, said if elected president, the former Vice President will serve for one term.
“Atiku is the surest bet. He is the shortest cut to a south-east presidency. The truth is that he will be about 80 years then. We only need him to rescue Nigeria now,” Dokpesi had said.
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“We are confronted with heavy challenges as a nation. Once we lay the foundation for restructuring and for pushing Nigeria forward, then he will exit. He is not coming because he is hungry but he has an agenda, and the agenda is Nigeria.”
Atiku was Obasanjo’s Vice during his reign between 1999 and 2007. He had vied for the presidential seat in 2007, 2011 and 2019.
Newsflash Nigeria gathered that Atiku alongside his aides stormed Abeokuta on Friday ahead of Saturday’s consultation.
Apart from meeting Obasanjo, Atiku and PDP are expected to meet the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.
