Atiku culture-oriented, humble leader, says Obasanjo

Erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo, has for the umpteenth time, endorsed his former deputy and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for the highest office in the land.

Speaking yesterday during Atiku’s turbaning as seventh Waziri Adamawa in Yola, he stated that no Nigerian knew the politician more, pointing out the celebrant was not only a culture-oriented person, but also humble in the handling of official duties.

“Nobody understands the capacity of Atiku to change things positively more than me. As my former deputy, he discharged all assignments I gave him with all sense of humility and seriousness,” the Owu high chief stated.

He said the occasion was a confirmation of the people’s acceptance of Atiku in the entire North East geo-political zone and a sign of good things to come on account of his hard work and sincerity.

Obasanjo, who urged the new Waziri to lift Nigerians out of poverty, reminded him that the new office had put more responsibilities on his shoulder.

President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Mohammed Bello, commended Atiku for his service to the people.

The Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, told the audience that the throne was not a family property but for those that merit it.

He said the choice of the presidential hopeful was informed by his track record, noting that merit was the central criterion that stood the former vice president out.

Meanwhile, the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has accused Obasanjo of plotting to rule the country by proxy.

The Edo ex-governor, who spoke after receiving one-time Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, and dozens of chieftains of the opposition PDP into the APC fold in Kano, vowed that the retired general would not realise his dream of “enthroning a stooge in power.”

However, the guest speaker at the 13th Founder’s Day of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) which held a day ahead of the turbaning in the same town, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, observed that the only way to revive the nation’s ‘comatose’ economy and tackle the ‘insecurity’ in land was to vote Atiku into office as president.

The Bayelsa-born lawmaker, who was hard on the current administration for the challenges confronting the country, maintained that the PDP presidential candidate Atiku remains the only option to “redress the mess created by the present administration.”

According to him, only people who are driven by dreams that achieve success in life, adding that an accidental leader without a dream could only sink a country.

Others that graced the Atiku’s installation included one-time President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, ex-Senate President David Mark, Gombe State Governor Hassan Dankwambo and his Benue and Bayelsa colleagues, Samuel Ortom and Seriake Dickson.

Others were Taraba and Cross River governors, Darius Ishaku and Ben Ayade, as well as former PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the party’s BoT chairman, Alhaji Wali Jibrin, National Assembly members, top politicians and business associates.