THE Convener of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare on Sunday congratulated Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on his emergence as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate.
According to Bakare, Atiku’s victory would make the 2019 election keen and interesting.
Bakare, Senior Pastor, Latter Rain Assembly, spoke to newsmen in Ikeja after making a speech on Nigeria’s 58th Independence in his church.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abubakar, a former Vice-President, was declared the winner at his party’s convention in Port-Harcourt early Sunday.
He polled 1,532 votes to defeat his closest rival, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State (693 votes) and Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, among others at the convention that started on Saturday.
Bakare said the emergence of Atiku was a welcome development as it meant the battle for the presidency would be a tough contest between him and President Muhammadu Buhari.
The SNG convener said both the president, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Abubakar were an equal match and it was Nigerians who would decide between the two.
“I congratulate him (Abubakar), he makes the issue in 2019 more robust.
“It is not going an eaglet versus an eagle but an eagle versus eagle: an old eagle versus new eagle and probably both of them old eagles.
“I wish president Muhammadu Buhari the best in 2019.
“He has the power of incumbency and he will do his best to win the election, but Atiku is not going to take No for an answer when the two forces collide in the election,” he said.
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Bakare said Abubakar, just like Buhari, had the experience, the exposure and the acceptance expected of the country’s president.
He, however, pointed out that having those qualities alone would not translate into the victory for him, as the electorate would decide the parameters on which to elect the next president.
“I can’t say Atiku will win or lose. You see, I am not advocating for him. Among all the aspirants who contested the PDP’s ticket with him, he is perhaps the most cosmopolitan, he is a Wazobia man.
“He was Vice-President for eight years, and he inherited something from late Yaradua that he had held on to so effectively.
“He has been a businessman with a business acumen and he has the exposure.
“But you see, that is not what qualifies you to win. A lot comes into play, so again, I can not say whether he will win or lose,” he said.
Bakare said for the PDP to win the 2019 elections, they would need to demonstrate to the electorate that they were a regenerated party and “show repentance for the years of the locust they engineered”.
He added that the opposition party had to convince Nigerians that they would not return to corruption, which he said was the way of life during its rule, to win the confidence of the electorate.
On the chances of APC, Bakare said though the government was trying its best, there was the need for them to do much more to win the next election.
He said the country was facing a lot of challenges which the government needed to offer solutions to, in order to fast track pace of development.
The cleric said that performance and policies, and not necessarily incumbency factor, would guarantee victory for the APC in 2019.
The SNG Convener said his comments about the Buhari’s administration from the beginning, should not be interpreted to mean he was attacking the government, but he was just raising issues needing attention.
“I didn’t take any swipe at the administration of President Buhari.
“What I have always said is that despite the acclaimed progress in the country, Nigerians are not feeling the impact in their homes.
“That does not mean the government is not working. Look at the groanings of the people, the government still has to do a lot more before the 2019 elections.
“They have to work harder to assure Nigerians that they are really up to the task of listening to their yearnings and aspirations.
“The purpose of government is the welfare and security of people. Take that from the equation, then governance means nothing,” he said.
He said the emergence of many political parties was good for democracy and freedom.
Bakare, however, said many of the parties were pretenders and they would need to “rise above the cacophony of noise” they were making to make an impact in the elections.
The SNG Convener said he had a presidential ambition but would not contest against President Buhari.
Bakare, who did not say the year he would contest, however, said he would be the one to succeed the president.
In his speech on the Independence titled “The Road to 2019: Quo Basis Nigeria’, Bakare said Nigeria had the potential to be great with the right leadership and positive attitude of followers.
He said 2019 presented another opportunity for citizens to realise the destiny of the country by participating in the process and voting right.
Bakare urged citizens to vote according to their conscience and elect leaders that mean well for the country.
God bless you sir which means we have a brighter morning Amen
I bear the same name with you but you lied.Buhari will defeat Atiku sure.
And where do u belong mr eaglet.
Thank you pastor Bakare, Atiku is the man we want.
It will be very interesting.
Even u lie,just one way defeat
God forbid
Oga i thought you said god told you that you are going to be nigerians next president ,i,m still waiting
That was then my friend.
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People will judge the poorly performance of buhari through voting
Another prophecy
Buhari is going back to daura!
During Obj first tenure he predicted the man will not do second term in office, he did the second term and d oliver twist was asking for more. I beg allow God to rest with all this prophecy that has no merit.
I strongly disagree.
It rather means it will be an old eagle versus and old chicken.
One has proven to truly soar in his personality and social status on basis of his proven competence while the other has only been known to be dressed in a bogus admirable personality and remained stagnant in his social status for years.
Is going to be bonus to Buhari
Atikulated mission
Let’s wait and see
Atiku2019
Who is the second eagle? are you talking Incompetent Buhari nonsense he is just a chicken…
In his comment he said he will succeed president Buhari, mean while his not going to contest against him in the coming election, in conclusion Buhari will win 2019 election so Atiku should just forget it
But did God tell you this also because several others that you claimed was told by God never came to pass.
Eagle v Eagle = though fight
No sir, it’s eagle ? vs vulture.
Ibadin Omon I notice all of you in this 419 business only have one or two at most pics on your Facebook account. No go find work do. Oloriburuku.
Enough of these self-acclaimed ‘men of God’. They keep selling half-baked ideas to the unsuspecting public. Time is swiftly running out of them.
Till then Bakare Maueez the myopic soothsayer
You’re living in the past. Today’s Nigeria, Atiku will defeat PMB. Take note of today’s date.
Dear pastor, u were one of dos clamouring 4 young president and a non fulani man. Sir is Atiku the most youngest amongst d candidates?
Yes! Force to force
It is eagle versus vulture.
Who is this man really supporting?
Who is the other eagle ?
Let’s not deceive ourselves, everyone knows Atiku cannot move this country forward. Hatred for Buhari is the reason we prefer Atiku.
It’s going to be a walkover for Buhari.
This are de people who no who Atiku be!!!!
Fake Buhari Vs Atiku
GO AND SLEEP…. Joor
Eagle vs chicken ?
I pray atiku send him parking the man doesn’t know what he’s doing
Atiku will be distant 3rd in the presidential election
Oh my God…