2015: Atiku promises to support party flag bearer for presidency

Former Vice President and  All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has promised to support and collapse his political structure into that of anyone who emerges as the flag bearer of the party at the primaries.

Atiku said, although, he remains the most politically qualified, experienced and wise among other APC aspirants, “but as a true party man, i will support whoever gets the party,s ticket for the interest of our democracy”

He stated this Tuesday night at Nike Lake Resort Enugu, Enugu state, while addressing national delegates of the State chapter of the APC.

He also said that he would not criticise the other presidential aspirants, adding that he would continue to address issues wherever he goes and not personalities.

Atiku, however, insisted that he is eminently qualified for the plum job, and a better candidate than his rivals, going by his years of experience as a federal civil servant, and as a Vice president for eight years.

: 'Whether I win this primary or not, I will support whoever wins. That is why in all my public speeches I will not criticise any candidate,' he reiterated.

The former Nigeria Number two man, further explained that the APC presidential aspirants had agreed to support one another.

'This is an undertaking we made that we will support each other and never criticise one another in public. We have to start the change at the leadership level.'

The APC presidential hopeful, urged the members to support their party's candidates, even when the particular candidate they prefered failed to emerge as the flag bearer, arguing that good governance was better than selfish gains.

The former vice president said, 'Whoever wins the nomination, don't work against the party. It is better for you. Your life will be better, the life of your family will be better.

'It is better for you to have the government than to remain in opposition because your candidate did not win.

'Good governance is better for you than whatever you can put in your own pocket.'

He gave reasons why he described him self as a better candidate than his rivals.

'There is no part of this country that I cannot call a home - none of the rest can boast of this quality. Besides, none of them have acquired the experience I have acquired politically.

'Even when situations appeared favourable to me personally, I rejected in the interest of this country. I have fought many political battles for democracy, the rule of law and the survival of our democratic dispensation.

'I have prepared myself over the years to serve, I have the experience to serve and I want to serve.'

The aspirant also who spoke of his humble beginnings, noted that he was fortunate to go to school on scholarship, while also expressing reservations that the situation was no longer the same in the country.

'I am today a self-fulfilled person. I am not looking for anything. The only passion I have is that I will never allow this country to be mis-governed. Today, the PDP is mis-governing this country to a level I have never seen in my life.'

Atiku who said he was in the presidential race to correct ills of the ruling peoples Democratic party PDP, noted that if there was no change in 2015, 'PDP will destroy the country and we will be looking for another country because it will be too late.'