2019: Only Atiku can return PDP to power~Chairman Atiku Support Groups

If the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) wants to get back to power, only the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar can make the opposition party realise that dream. The above is the conclusion of the Chairman of the Atiku Support Groups, Oladimeji Fabiyi. He spoke to WILLY EYA on various issues including Atiku’s chances against President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

With the tension in the country ahead of next year’s general elections, how do you feel?

First and foremost, I will say that it is quite unfortunate that today in the history of our country, we are faced with a lot of daunting challenges. One of such is the issue of security challenges that we have in the country today; the economy is not also growing especially since the present government came on board. The insecurity challenge for instance has taken a new dimension.

The feelings of Nigerians when the APC government came on board was that maybe they would do something different but unfortunately we have not been able to get it right. It is quite painful and unfortunate. Everyday we hear about killings; even in Kaduna yesterday(Monday, April 2), I heard that some people were killed and some were kidnapped. All these call for a serious concern and somebody would tell you that the security agencies are trying their best. If they are trying their best, then what is wrong?

Why doesn’t the killings stop? We are grappling with the Fulani herdsmen issue; you know the number of people that were killed in Benue, Taraba and so many other parts of the country.

That is not acceptable at all. Generally, the country is in a downturn. The government says Nigeria is out of recession but I do not think that is true because if you are out of recession and it is not reflecting on the lives of the people, then what kind of thing is that?

A lot of things are not working and we are hoping that come 2019, we will have someone who can make Nigeria work again. At this point in time, honestly and frankly, Nigeria is not working. The APC promised quite a number of things but unfortunately, they could not fulfill them. They told us they would create more jobs but today we have lost more jobs than ever in this country.

One of their promises was that every year, they would build one refinery. Today, we are not seeing anyone. A lot of all those promises have not been fulfilled. In 2019, Nigerians must rise up and take the right decisions so that this change that we were promised and are not forthcoming could be realised for a better and progressive Nigeria. We have never been so divided in this country. We are now divided along so many lines. It has never been this bad. So, the remaining time that this government has, they should just do the much they can do and Nigerians should rise up and do the needful by bringing in a new face, government and fresh person with great ideas.

Your boss, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has made his intention to contest for the 2019 presidential election known, what do you think informed his decision to do so even so early?

Personally, I am amazed at the huge expectation of Nigerians waiting for Atiku to declare. He was recently invited by the Rivers State governor who is also a member of his party, the PDP; the young man is doing a great job in Rivers State and Atiku is one man that is always associated with anything that is progressive and developmental. So, he visited Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and on getting there, the governor arranged so many of his state executive party members to come and welcome him. And in addressing them, he said okay, I am interested and a lot of Nigerians expect me to come out.

So, I think the proper declaration has not really taken place.

The Rivers thing was just an expression of interest. He said I am interested in running for the presidency of this country; I am passionate about this country and if I am given the chance, I will not disappoint Nigerians.

I am ready, capable, prepared and I have the requisite capacity and all it takes to lead this country out of the woods. He could not have come out in there to say I am declaring for the presidency but we are quite happy and confident that Atiku would be the choice of Nigerians in 2019.

~The Sun