Mr. Kenneth Imasuagbon, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, on Thursday said that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria, is the winning ticket for the party in next year’s general election.
This is contained in a statement issued in Benin by Imasuagbon, a former Edo governorship aspirant.
Some chieftains of the PDP had recently called on Atiku to support younger aspirants from the Southern part of the country to emerge as the presidential candidate of the party.
But Imasuangbon, who disagreed with the call for Atiku to step aside, said the former Vice President remains the best choice candidate of the PDP to defeat any opposition party and the ruling party.
He noted that the former Vice President had the prerequisite experience, contacts across the country to rule the country.
He stressed that those using the issue of age and zoning against the former Vice President were doing that for selfish and parochial reasons.
According to him, “what I want PDP members to understand and focus on is winning the election. We cannot field candidates Nigerians do not know and trust.
“How on earth can someone argued that Atiku should not be given our party’s ticket on account of his age? Age is not a curse but a blessing.
“For example, it is on record that the founding father and former President of Singapore, late Lee Kuan Yew, became President at a very old age and he led his Country into economic prosperity. Same with former President Ronald Reagan of the United States. So what are they talking about?
“Again, If we are talking about fairness, equity and Justice, power should remain in the North.
“He is the most qualified in the North and don’t forget that the North East has not produced the President. Even if you leave the presidency open he is the most qualified and his presidency will usher in prosperity for the country,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed to governors under the platform of the PDP and other party members to support the presidential aspiration of Atiku. (NAN)
