Why Tinubu, Atiku Can’t Fix Nigeria-Prof. Ango Abdullahi

The presidential candidacy of Bola Tinubu of the APC and that of Atiku Abubakar of the PDP has been played down by northern elder statesman, Prof. Ango Abdullahi. Prof. Abdullahi who is the convener of the northern elders’ forum (NEF) and the fifth vice-chancellor of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University said the duo have been on the political scene for too long without no positive impact.

He however favours the prospect of former aspirants Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (APC) and financial expert Mohammed Hayatu-Deen (PDP) as a more plausible candidates that can impact development in the country. Abdullahi noted that he will not be drumming his support for both Atiku and Tinubu are have both been regarded as favourites to land the apex seat of office in Abuja.

He stated that Nigerians should be ready for trying times should one of the duo becomes the next commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

He said: “No, we still haven’t got the man who we think will fix Nigeria. What we have on ground is not good enough. How can you look at Tinubu and Atiku to say they are the ones who will fix this country? ”They have been on the ground for the last 25, 30 years and so on. What have they done? What are we looking for? I was the one who encouraged a technocrat to join this consensus. You probably had seen Mohammed Hayatu Deen in the group of people going around looking for a consensus arrangements in PDP. I was one of those who encouraged him. We haven’t got the materials on the ground, unfortunately.”

When asked about the chances of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi he said: “Peter Obi, unfortunately, I don’t know him that much. He is a young man, he was the former governor of Anambra State and he is a businessman.” On the possibility of Rabiu Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate winning the 2023 polls, he said: “He (Kwankwaso) is a good, young man. He started his politics with us and he is quite smart. No doubt about it. Of course, he had some of these debts that he acquired or he must have picked in other political formations and so on but clearly, he is one of the bright ones around. No doubt about that. “I believe we have not had good array of politicians. With due respect to some of them that one saw contesting, I am not being selfish here by referring to certain people like Prof. Osinbajo. He is a quality material but the political system will not tolerate him.”