The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has come under fire on social media for saying that northerners don’t need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate in 2023.
Abubakar, at an interactive session with the Arewa Joint Committee on Saturday, said, “I have traversed the whole of this country. I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across the whole of this country. I think what the northerners need is someone who is from the north and also understands the other parts of Nigeria, who has built bridges across the country. This is what a northerner needs. He doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Igbo candidate.”
His comment has been criticised on social media, with many slamming him for canvassing for votes along ethnic lines while claiming to be a “unifier.”
A tweep, Dr Hafsatu Danladi, lashed out at Atiku saying, “Nigerians from North to South must reject Atiku Abubakar. We all must unite to save Nigeria from politicians who are willing to destroy us for their selfish political gains.
“Buhari is a Northerner. The North don’t need a Northerner, the North needs a competent leader.”
Another tweep, Chris, said, “Atiku is playing the tribal card in the North and the “Unifier” card in the South.”
Festus Keyamo says Atiku should quit
For Festus Keyamo, the presidential campaign spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress, Atiku should quit the race already over his comment.
Keyamo tweeted, “This is the height of desperation & daredevilry on the part of Atiku! This is so horrendous, so horrible & so thoughtless for Atiku Abubakar to use ethnicity in the campaign, saying the North does not need a YORUBA OR IBO candidate. My God! Atiku needs to quit the race TODAY!”
Branding expert Chidi Okereke tweeted, “Tinubu wants people like El-Rufai to stay so they can turn a rotten situation into a bad one.
“Atiku told the ACF that northerners need a Northern president, not Yoruba or Igbo. In one day. In a sane country, Obi would have already won this election, but Naija moves differently.”
For tweep, Emmy King, Atiku’s comment is no surprise. He said, “Please don’t get it twisted. Atiku is married to women from different tribes of Nigeria. That is what he means when he calls himself a unifier. Know this and know peace.”
