Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president of Nigeria has declared his bid to become president of Nigeria when elections are held in 2019.
Atiku is seeking to run on the ticket of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party he rejoined earlier this year.
His declaration was during a rally in his home state of Adamawa – located in Nigeria’s northeast. He touched on insecurity and division in Nigeria and rising unemployment as part of his motivation to contest.
“Today, we are witnessing the most insecure atmosphere. More people died under APC than people killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, we are more divided than at any other time in Nigeria’s history.
“Today, we have the highest unemployment rate in the history of this country, more than one million of our youth are unemployed,” Mr Abubakar is quoted to have said.
He left the PDP to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which brought Muhammadu Buhari to power in 2015. His support was seen as critical to Buhari’s victory over the then PDP candidate, Goodluck Jonathan.
Nigeria’s political zoning ahead 2019 polls
Given the nature of Nigeria’s politics where presidential candidates are picked from a particular political zone, if Atiku wins the PDP candidature, it will effectively mean that the two major candidates in 2019 will be from the north.
Both parties have an unwritten rule where the presidential ticket oscillates between the north and south. In 2015, the race was between Buhari a northerner and Jonathan a southerner.
Buhari’s biggest headache with months to the elections is, however, in the central belt of the country where clashes between farmers and herdsmen continue to claim lives and properties.
Political watchers say the situation could affect Buhari’s vote in regions that are seen as swing regions.
Latest Stories
-
GPL: Expect a new Kotoko against Samartex – Ogum tells fans
49 mins -
Court orders service of notice for DNA test to Mohbad’s wife
51 mins -
Changes to Ghana’s oil and gas royalty and licensing scheme to be implemented in 2024
53 mins -
Ghana’s oil production to rebound in 2024 growing by 5% – Fitch Solutions
1 hour -
Davido gifts fan $50K to clear off her student loan
1 hour -
Netflix: Profits soar after password sharing crackdown
1 hour -
OSP files additional charges against former PPA CEO Adjenim Boateng Adjei
1 hour -
Samuel Anini’s ‘Legacy of Hope’ to be launched in Finland
1 hour -
Fitch Solutions projects 19.0% average inflation for Ghana in 2024
1 hour -
Beijing half marathon: Top 3 stripped of medals after investigation
1 hour -
Nigerian Tunde Onakoya attempts to break chess marathon record
2 hours -
Government set to strip ECG of its billing, collection powers – Egyapa Mercer
2 hours -
We have to focus on Premier League now – Jurgen Klopp
2 hours -
Oil price rises as US says Israel has struck Iran
2 hours -
MPs open up about growing financial pressures and health challenges
2 hours