WIFE of former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Titi Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday in Lagos said, President Muhammadu Buhari- led government has failed Nigeria in all aspects, declaring that the citizens did not enjoy the dividends of democracy they had anticipated when they voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.
Atiku Abubakar is currently the presidential candidate of main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 16 poll holding across the country, while Buhari is the candidate of the ruling APC.
Titi Abubakar said this while speaking at the PDP Town Hall Meeting, which took place at the City Hall on Lagos Island, expressing disappointment at the development, while assuring that her husband, if voted into office, would run an inclusive government that would give accommodation to more women and youths.
“This government have failed Nigeria and we must not allow them to terrorise us during the upcoming election when we will be sending them packing. They have failed us in all aspect of life and our vote is the only tools we can use to right the wrong.
“During the election, they are going to bring soldiers to intimidate us, but we need to stand by our votes and ensure they count. As you all know, my husband is going to run an inclusive government.
“My husband, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri of Adamawa has promised to give youth 30 per cent in his administration while 40 per cent is for women. He is going to give youth some ministerial post so that they can learn governance.
“He is not a religion bigot, he is not nepotism, and he is not tribalistic in nature. Atiku is a unifier and a sellable material that will unify Nigeria,” she said.
Also speaking, former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Chief Olabode George, urged Nigerians to assess their present status before voting, and ask themselves if they were better off today than they were before.
“If you are in Nigeria from age 18 and above, ask yourself before voting whether you are better off today than before.
“If you are better off, then vote for APC but if you are not then you need to vote for a reliable alternative which is PDP,” the party chieftain said.
Chief George, who is also the Atona of Oodua, however, appealed to those in government to respect the will of the people, warning of the consequences that could follow should it try to go against people’s will.
“If the present administration tried to undermine the will of the people, Venezuela will be a child’s play, I am saying this because I don’t want the repeat of what happened in 1963,” he warned.
He particularly expressed concerns over a change in a voting arrangement that had to do with simultaneous
accreditation and voting, saying such an arrangement would not allow one to determine the number of those who were accredited to vote.
“They said they will do accreditation simultaneously with voting, how will you know the number of those who are accredited to vote?” he queried.
“If they don’t do it properly, the rest of the world is watching, Nigeria is already a lamp that the rest of Africa is watching so we cannot avoid doing what is undemocratic,” he said.