Northern President: Atiku Won’t Apologize, We Need To Move Beyond Political Gimmicks – Aide

A former Minister of Aviation and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council, Osita Chidoka has declared that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar won’t apologize for his ‘northern president’ statement.

Chidoka on Tuesday submitted that those making noise about the statement by Atiku are only trying to twist his words and play political gimicks.

Naija News recalls Atiku while addressing the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna State on Saturday had submitted that “an average Northerner does not need a Yoruba or Igbo president, but a northern President who is a pan Nigeria.”

His comment has sparked reactions and condemnations from various quarters.

But Chidoka who is a special adviser to Atiku, during Tuesday’s interview with Channels TV said those expecting an apology should move on as they will deal with constant disappointment.

He maintained that it is clear the former Vice President and PDP candidate was making reference to the need for a pan-Nigerian leader with the ability to unite all parts of the country but political opponents are only trying to change the narrative.

He said the statement of the PDP presidential candidate was misquoted and misinterpreted.

Chidoka went ahead to praise Atiku describing him as the leader Nigeria needs in 2023.

He said: “I think we need to move beyond these political gimmicks and political gimmickry that goes on when people say one thing, we turn it the other way round and we use it for political ends. The point he is making is a very clear point – that we need a Nigerian president, somebody that would unify the country, will understand the issues, and be able to solve them.

“So, I don’t think that it is a statement that warrants any apologies or discussions. It is for Vice President Atiku to continue to explain himself to the public. We still have four months in the campaign so he needs to go out and explain his agenda that he is a Nigerian president that is desirous of making sure that all parts of Nigeria feel wanted in Nigeria, and feel united. He needs to unify the country to be able to propose the difficult solutions that must be applied to make this economy and the country work again.”

This article was originally published on Naija News