Atiku ‘will beat Buhari’ if he clinches PDP ticket

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar stands a better chance of winning the 2019 presidential election, according to a poll conducted by Williams and Associates, a US-based opinion research and consulting company.

The poll, titled “Public Attitudes in Nigeria” and conducted in August, predicted that Abubakar will beat other presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Senate President Bukola Saraki, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ex-governor of Kano and Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, are among the top contenders for the party’s ticket.

It further said Abubakar will win Buhari with a margin of 6 percent votes if both men end as contenders in 2019.

“It’s clear Atiku is the best positioned candidate to beat Buhari. Atiku bests all other PDP candidates in head-to-head match-ups demonstrating a wider base support than other potential challengers,” the report read.

On the priority of needs and expectation, the poll said Nigerians are more concerned about tackling unemployment than fighting corruption.

The company had predicted that President Muhammadu Buhari would unseat ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015.

Last week, Teneo Intelligence, a New York-based analysis firm, said Buhari could lose in 2019.

The intelligence firm said given the outcome of the Osun gubernatorial election, if the opposition manages to unite, the presidential election would be a tough one for the ruling party.

“There is already a clear message sent from Osun State: provided the PDP remains united, and the vote is reasonably free and fair, Buhari and his APC are likely to lose the general election,” Malte Liewerscheidt, an analyst at Teneo, said.