Ayu vows not to work for former VP
Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to give him the right of first refusal in its presidential primaries because he is the “best aspirant to win the election for the Party”.
Addressing members of the National Working Committee, (NWC) of the party on Thursday, Atiku said he should be considered because he already has 11 million votes in his kitty.
Atiku said, “I am the best candidate. Under normal circumstances Mr. Chairman, this is a guy who already has 11 million votes in his kitty. And I think, as a party, you should give me the right of first refusal but we are in a democracy.
“All I can urge you is to make sure that the way you have started, you also conclude by being very fair, very credible, giving every contestant the opportunity to face the electorate.”
He said Nigerians should expect an excellent leadership from the PDP, based on the way the NWC is handling the affairs of the party, adding that “we all know that the APC has failed but we should not take Nigerians for granted. We should go all out to let them know APC has failed and PDP has not failed on our comparative analysis. If you compare the achievements of PDP and the failure of APC, you know that you have no other choice than PDP.”
On his plans for the country, Atiku promised to devolve more powers and resources to the States “because I believe that is the best way to get Nigeria developed to its fullest capacity by giving autonomy and resources to the various components.”
He promised to reunite the country, deal with security issues and the economy, recalling that during a visit to Niger state, “The governor told me, we have about twelve local governments, which are under the control of bandits. We don’t know how to conduct elections in those local governments. And I went to the President, I said, Mr. President, we need more policemen and the President said how can I give you more policemen when the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission are in court on who will recruit policemen.
“I cannot be that kind of President. We cannot recruit policemen because the two agencies are in court and we have a president who cannot bring under control his own heads of departments, not even ministers.”
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the PDP Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has told former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that even though they are friends, he will not work for him as an aspirant.
Ayu, who was addressing members of the National Working Committee, (NWC) and the campaign team of the former Vice President after a visit to the party Secretariat said, “Let me acknowledge the fact that you and I have been close friends personal friends for more than 30 years as it was indicated, we were key players in the Social Democratic Party and key players in the emergence of Chief MKO Abiola.
“So you are a presidential aspirant today. But I want people to know that you are still my friend. I can’t deny you I never deny my friends including those who are in the other disastrous party. You know them because even there we have common friends who miss road, who normally should be here with us.
“More importantly, since we formed this party as you have mentioned, we have worked together in various capacities. It is you and I that plotted the emergence of President Obasanjo. An administration that did very well, putting Nigeria, on a healthy map economically, socially and politically.
“Again, I can’t deny the fact that we work together harmoniously, whether political issues or economic issues and on the National Security Council when I was Minister for internal affairs.
“I’m saying this to make it clear that those who say Oh, because of my personal relationship with you, as chairman, I’ll work for you. Mr. Vice President, I will not work for you as an aspirant. I will work for all the 17 aspirants. It is left to you to convince the delegates of our party that you are the best.
“You have to market yourself, you have to work hard. This National Working Committee for now we remain an umpire. We are not going to take side with any particular aspirants. But we love you all. I’ve said repeatedly that each one of you given the opportunity will run this country better than what APC has done or will be able to do.”
