Atiku, reacting to the news that Obasanjo had endorsed his opponent Peter Obi, said it was surprising and confusing that the former president would endorse someone who had no experience in governance at a national level.
In a letter released on Sunday, January 1st, Obasanjo endorsed Obi over other candidates as the most qualified to lead Nigeria.
The Atiku/Okowa campaign dismissed the former President's endorsement of Mr. Obi as politically meaningless.
In a letter to Nigerians, particularly the youths, Obasanjo declared his support for Obi—presidential candidate of the Labour Party—ahead of the 2023 general election.
In response to the endorsement, Kola Ologbondiyan, a spokesperson for Atiku/Okowa’s campaign organization said former president Obasanjo's stance does not reflect that of Nigerians.
The statement read:
“The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation says the subjective support for the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo is his personal wish which does not reflect the opinion or position of overwhelming majority of Nigerians across the country.
“While former President Obasanjo is entitled to his personal opinion; as remarkable as it may appear, it remains individualistic and cannot redirect Nigerians from their determination to rally with the more experienced, more proficient and more accepted Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to rescue and rebuild our nation from the APC misrule.
The Atiku campaign went on to say that it is surprising that Atiku endorsed a candidate who lacks the experience necessary for the job.
“What is surprising to majority of Nigerians is that in the face of the alarming challenges facing the nation, which requires a tried and tested hand, former President Obasanjo is suggesting a candidate that has not had any experience in governance at the national level.
“In any case, Chief Obasanjo’s opinion cannot sway Nigerians who can easily remember how he endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari, whose administration, he (Obasanjo) now describes as “stressful years for many Nigerians,” during which our nation “moved from frying pan to fire and from mountain top to the valley"," the statement read further.
The Atiku campaign further stated that the PDP presidential candidate is widely accepted, and his choice not based on any tribal, ethnic or religious sentiments.
“Atiku remains the most widely accepted candidate, whose choice is not predicated by sectional, tribal, ethnic or religious sentiments or the endorsement of any individual, high or low, but by record of ability and performance, authentic vision, honesty and character; physical and mental capacity; the very indices set by the former President," the statement concluded.
