The presidency also argued that “with the good works the government is doing, Tinubu is already the toast of Nigerians”
By Kehinde Okeowo
The presidency via a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on information and strategy to President Tinubu, has stated that the president is not bothered about the game Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi are playing.
Onanuga, who spoke against the backdrop of a possible merger between Atiku and Obi, went on to say Tinubu is focused on fixing the country’s economy.
Last week, Obi met with Atiku, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and a PDP chieftain, Sule Lamido.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa after the meeting on Friday , Atiku said he is willing to step down for the former Anambra State governor during the 2027 presidential election, if parties in merger decided it was South-East’s turn to field presidential candidate.
He said: “I have said repeatedly, and I even said it before the 2023 general elections, that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South, or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. I contested the 2023 presidential ticket, because it was thrown open to all members of the party.
“If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East, and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him.”
ALSO READ: Atiku says he is willing to support Obi in 2027
However, speaking on Saturday in Abuja, Onanuga said: “We are only surprised that they are plotting just one year after an election they lost. They are still behaving like sore losers.
“We are not bothered by the games they are playing, as they are revealing their mindset. They are mere politicians who only think about the next election.
“President Tinubu is a true statesman who is concerned about fulfilling his promises to Nigerians.
“At the moment, he is very busy resetting the economy of our country for the better, laying the foundation that ought to have been laid decades ago.”
Also reacting to the planned alliance, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said the presidency was not worried about the planned merger or alliance. According to him, anybody could decide to collaborate and meet.
“The government is not thinking about them at all. We are focused on delivering on the mandate handed over to President Bola Tinubu. With the good works the government is doing, he is already the toast of Nigerians” he said.
