Atiku’s Desperation For Power May Ruin Nigeria’s Unity — Afegbua

A former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kassim Afegbua, on Monday warned that the ambition of the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar may jeopardize the unity of Nigeria.

The former Commissioner for Information in Edo State in a statement released on Monday condemned the main opposition party for fielding a northerner for the 2023 presidential election.

Afegbua wondered why the party would field another northerner after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure who is also from the same tribe as Atiku.

He said some politicians are desperate and feel Aso Villa, the seat of government is their entitlement.

The ex-PDP chieftain said the party ought to be Nigerian’s saviour in 2023, but the party has hurt the conscience of Nigerians by going against the power-sharing agreement.

Afegbua said the decision of the PDP may lead to a war of attrition between the North and the South.

He noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) understood power rotation which made it present its ticket to a southerner.

Afegbua said in a society like Nigeria there is a need to balance power to birth the required stability.

The former commissioner said Atiku’s presidential ambition will not only affect the peace of Nigeria but will also stir thoughts that might signal the end of a united Nigeria.

He added that people supporting Atiku’s ambition because of their selfish interests would soon realize the danger it has on the unity of Nigeria.

Afegbua said, “We must realize that democracy flourishes in an atmosphere of stability and tranquillity.”

He said Atiku wasted the opportunity in 2019 when the PDP zoning favoured the North.

The PDP chieftain wondered why Atiku who ran away after losing the election came back to pick the party’s ticket in 2023.

He said, “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar cannot surreptitiously hijack the opportunity of the South because of his vaulting ambition. At 77, nothing is edifying about his capacity and capability.

“He should be told to stop this deliberate hijack of the Southern opportunity. It will haunt us now and in the future.”