Atiku: Buhari and I both want to rescue Nigeria

Former vice president and presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is favourably disposed to the decision of General Muhammadu Buhari to also contest for the party’s presidential ticket ahead of next year’s election.

In a statement released to the media on Thursday, Atiku said leaders of APC are committed to the task of rescuing Nigeria, and “the more individuals ready to be part of the mission to rescue the country, the better”.

The former vice president added that the country has floundered for far too long and its people are yearning for a change.

“We must listen to them before they lose faith in the ability of their leaders to revive the country,” he said.

“You will recall that during my declaration speech penultimate week, I did mention that my priority, if given the chance to run and serve as the president of Nigeria is addressing the issues of jobs creation and providing decent employment for Nigerians, especially the youths.

“I believe that it is only when we can provide decent jobs for our young people, that we can have a hope for the decent future for our country. It is also not in doubt that of recent, successive administrations have failed woefully in building the infrastructure that can promote a healthy economy.

“Our education system is in shambles, public health system is in virtual comatose, we have very poor network of roads totally at variance with the wealth of a country that is the seventh oil producer in the world.

“I believe that the country has failed in these areas because of the excessive centralisation of functions and resources to the government at the centre. The government that the APC plans to lead in the next few months, by the grace of God, will be fully committed to devolution of powers and resources to the state governments in line with the manifesto of our great party.”

Expressing his support for Buhari’s candidature, Atiku said he had no doubt in his mind that both men share a common concern about rescuing the country “from the deadly grip of the PDP”.

“It is on this note that I do warmly welcome him on board in this very important national rescue mission. I look forward to meeting him in an open, free and fair contest for the ticket,” he said.