On Wednesday, a coalition of civil society organization demanded that Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, step aside in favor of Musa Kwankwaso, the candidate of the Nigeria Peoples Party, to prevent needless vote splitting in the North.
The coalition, however, acknowledged that Atiku had done his best for the nation as a former Vice President.
Bishop Godwin Abah, the coalition’s head, said in a press conference at the NNPP secretariat in Abuja that Nigeria’s future was in jeopardy and that, as a result, the Kwankwaso Presidency’s political sagacity and tenacity of purpose were needed to turn the country around.
Abah stated that the organization had carefully examined the presidential candidates of major political parties, as well as their backgrounds and democratic credentials, and that Kwankwaso stood out among the other candidates.
He said, “A servant-leader with milk of human kindness, Kwankwaso transformed Kano State as a two- term governor and will bring his wealth of experience as former Minister of Defence, Ambassador, Senator, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives etc., to bear on national governance as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It was also the opinion of the rural Nigerians that the coalition interfaced with that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should set aside his presidential aspiration for a dynamic, pragmatic, energetic and resourceful Kwankwaso.
“Accordingly, the coalition calls on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate to step down for the NNPP presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to avoid unnecessary splitting of votes in the North.
“Kwankwaso will inject fresh air in governance, restore hope to a bewildered nation that has seen more carnage than dividends of democracy and build a new Nigeria we all desire.
“Atiku has done his best for the nation, we appreciate his contribution as Vice President of Nigeria. He remains a statesman.
“Today, the nation is at a crossroads, the destiny of Nigeria is at stake and requires the political sagacity, capacity, savvy and tenacity of purpose of Kwankwaso – Isaac Idahosa Presidency to redirect the country from its perilous course.”
