Chidoka also said the PDP presidential aspirant was misquoted, insists there is no need for him to apologise to Nigerians
By Kehinde Okeowo
People Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, has described the criticism that greeted a statement credited to his party’s presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar as “political gimmicks” being exploited for “political ends”.
Chidoka made this known, on Tuesday, October 18, while on a Channels Television programme, “Politics Today,” where he also said the presidential hopeful will not apologise for the comments made during a parley with members of the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna.
Atiku, a former Vice President of Nigeria has faced a lot of backlash after a viral video where he said the North does not need a Yoruba or Igbo president made the rounds on social media.
“What the average northerner needs is somebody who’s from the North and also understands that part of the country and has been able to build bridges across the country,
“This is what the northerner needs. It doesn’t need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin,” Atiku had said.
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After the comment, Nigerians took to various social media platforms to condemn the statement saying it was irresponsible given the state of the nation and his status, while his political adversary and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike also demanded that the PDP flag bearer tenders an apology for the statement.
Reacting to the development, Mr Chidoka, who is the Director of Voter Intelligence, Strategy and Policy Analyst of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, said Atiku does not need to apologise because he was quoted out of context.
He said, “I think we need to move beyond these political gimmicks and political gimmickry that goes on when people say one thing, we turn it the other way round and we use it for political ends.
“The point he is making is a very clear point – that we need a Nigerian president, somebody that would unify the country, will understand the issues, and be able to solve them.
“So, I don’t think that it is a statement that warrants any apologies or discussions. It is for Vice President Atiku to continue to explain himself to the public,”
Chidoka went on to argue that all his presidential candidate needs to do is focus on explaining his policy to Nigerians.