The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Friday said he assumes former president Olusegun Obasanjo has thrown his weight behind him for the 2023 general election.
Atiku said this while responding to questions on Arise TV.
He was Nigeria’s vice president between 1999 and 2007 when Mr Obasanjo was the president.
Speaking on the rumoured animosity between the former President and himself, Atiku said he has been in touch with Mr Obasanjo even after emerging the party’s flagbearer.
He promised to continue building on the former president’s legacies if he emerges president.
Speaking on the need for Mr Obasanjo’s support in the actualisation of his ambition, Atiku said, “Why will I not need his support? He was my former boss. Of course, I will need his support. I assume I have it.”
The emergence of Atiku, a northerner, as the PDP’s presidential candidate elicited controversy within the PDP, with some party chieftains insisting the ticket ought to have been zoned to the south.
The former vice president’s decision to pick Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Rivers State as his running mate, further angered some party members who believed Nyesom Wike, the Rivers governor, was a better choice.
In his interview with Arise TV, Atiku noted that he was already reaching out to the Rivers state governor, adding that all grievances in the party will soon be sorted by the party leaders. (Premium Times)
