2019: Atiku Mocks Buhari Over 800 Meters Walk Claim

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday mocked the Presidency over its claim that President Muhammadu Buhari walked 800-metre as evidence of his fitness to run in 2019.

Mr Abubakar, who is eyeing the presidential ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said he would work to create jobs for Nigerians and not build “illusion”.

The former vice-president was apparently responding to a claim by the Presidency that Mr Buhari walked 800 metre from Eid praying ground in Daura on Tuesday.

Earlier the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, had last week said that Mr Buhari was “too old” to rule the country beyond 2019.

But the News Agency of Nigeria reported that after the Eid prayers, Mr Buhari shunned protocol and opted to trek some 800 metres, acknowledging cheers from Nigerians who lined up on his home route to catch a glimpse of him.

Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, had said that Mr Buhari demonstrated his fitness to run for a second term by covering that distance on foot.

“I think the President has done one thing today – that the issue is not how old one is but how fit he is; how healthy he is. Now that the president has proven his fitness and well-being, to continue in office is a settled matter,” he said in a statement emailed to Premium Times.

Reacting in a message posted on his verified Facebook page Wednesday afternoon, Mr Abubakar lampooned the presidency, saying the claim was “pedestrian”.

“I regularly jog more than a mile and exercise, but it will be pedestrian of me to ask Nigerians to vote for me because of that,” he posted.

“I want my party – the PDP, and Nigerians, to vote for me because I WORK not because I WALK. I will work to create jobs. I won’t walk to create an illusion.”

Mr Abubakar contested the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, with Mr Buhari ahead of the 2015 elections. The former vice-president however lost the ticket to the retired army general, who would go ahead to defeat then incumbent Goodluck Jonathan at the polls.

Interestingly, the presidential aide, Mr Shehu, whose statement is being faulted here by Mr Abubakar, was a media aide for more than a decade to the former vice president.

It was Mr Abubakar who nominated him to serve in the present government after he (Mr Abubakar) lost the APC presidential ticket to Mr Buhari.

Mr Abubakar recently returned to the PDP to pursue his presidential ambition, but Mr Shehu has stayed on with President Buhari.

Mr Abubakar served as Nigeria’s vice president between 1999 and 2007, when Olusegun Obasanjo was president.

Few weeks ago, Mr Obasanjo told Premium Times God would not forgive him if he supported Mr Abubakar’s presidential ambition.

Premium Times

Comments

Governor Ortom Eulogizes Late Pa Jerome, Father of Ex-BERWASSA Boss

….As family announces burial arrangements Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has extolled the Late Pa Jerome Abalike Ella, father of his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Water Resources, Engr. Ejembi Ella, and his indelible legacies. This is coming as the family announces the burial arrangements for the deceased whose death occurred last month, December 27, 2022. Ortom described the deceased as a renowned community leader who was humble, hardworking and dedicated his life to the service of God and humanity until his demise. In a condolence letter on behalf of his family, the government and people of Benue State to the SSA, a copy of which Humanity Watch obtained, the governor stated that the transition of Pa Jerome at a time his wise counsel was most needed, has created a vacuum in the family that will be difficult to fill. The governor however, urged the SSA on Water Resources who is also the immediate past General Manger of Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitat

CITAD Faults FEC’s Approval of FCT Land SWAP Initiative, Call for Suspension

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has faulted the Federal Executive Council's approval of the Land Swap Initiative of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The non- governmental organisation working to ensure good governance through the use of information and communication technologies for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development made its stance known on Thursday in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, a copy of which Humanity Watch obtained. The FEC had at the end of its meeting on Wednesday announced that it was resuming the FCT Land Swap Initiative that was earlier suspended by the government following allegations of corruption. According to the FEC, the objective of the initiative is to address infrastructure gaps in the FCT by providing land to investors who in return will finance infrastructure rollout. Worth about N1 trillion under the previous dispensation, the initiative was designed to remedy

Linda Ikeji Adds New Feather To Her Cap As She Becomes A Doctor

Expectant mum and Africa’s biggest blogger Linda Ikeji, who is currently in the U.S. to have her baby which is due by next month, has added another feather to her cap. In a post on Instagram, Linda asked her fans to call her Doctor as she has now upgraded her stance from Princess to a higher level. Read what she wrote after Trinity international University of Ambassadors in Georgia nominated her for a doctorate degree: I told you guys a few months ago to call me Princess Linda after the Arewa Youths title, but after August 8th, you will have to upgrade that to Dr. Linda Ikeji… . I’m getting a honorary doctorate degree from Trinity International University of Georgia for my contribution to media in Africa and as Africa’s Most Successful Blogger. . Really grateful to God for how far He’s brought me! And thank you for your congratulations. Love to you and yours.. Pm news

Humanity Watch

Search This Blog