The Presidency has advised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to reconsider his presidential ambitions and consider retiring from politics following Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s defection to the APC.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated on social media on Friday that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s defection demonstrated that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is not popular in his home state. “Big Blow for Atiku in Adamawa: Fintiri joins APC, making Tinubu’s party a juggernaut in the state. All members of his cabinet, lawmakers and other PDP officials in the state moved with him to the APC, thus fortifying the APC’s advantage and presence in the state,” Onanuga said.
He added that Fintiri’s move is a significant setback for Atiku’s presidential ambition, noting that “a candidate that is not strong at home cannot sell his candidacy to outsiders.” Onanuga further remarked, “With the presidential election less than a year away, Fintiri’s defection is surely a big blow to veteran presidential runner Atiku Abubakar. His ADC is largely unknown in the state. He certainly needs to reassess his ambition, as his governor has turned the APC into an Adamawa juggernaut.”
The Presidential spokesman concluded by advising Atiku to reflect on his political future. “If a politician is not so popular at home, he has no business selling his candidacy to outsiders. The time is nigh for Atiku to consider retiring from politics and going to his second home in Dubai,” Onanuga said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation for the former vice-president.
READ THE FULL STORY IN DAILY TRUST