Another Presidential Candidate Steps Down For Atiku

The presidential candidate of the National Interest Party (NIP), Eunice Atuejide, has withdrawn from the rescheduled February 23 presidential race.

Atuejide, who doubles as NIP’s national chairman, consequently endorsed the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, after backing out from the race.

Citing alleged incompetence of President Muhammadu Buhari, the NIP candidate said in her withdrawal statement on Wednesday that she is endorsing Atiku to “fight for the benefit of every Nigerian”

The statement reads, “So my people, having committed to always put Nigeria first, having gotten to know most of the candidates vying for the Presidency in 2019 one on one, having investigated most of them independently, and having seriously considered the inherent dangers in allowing the incompetence of President Buhari to continue, I choose to fight for the benefit of every Nigerian on the side of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“Therefore, the Presidential Election proposed to hold on 23rd February 2019 due to the last minute postponement on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not involve me,” said the 39-year old former aspirant.

“In fact, that race is only between the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,” She added.

“Every well-meaning Nigerian particularly those whose party logos are on the ballot sheets should pick a side. Whatever we do on Saturday 23rd February, we will be voting either Atiku or Buhari i.e. either PDP or APC for the 2019 Presidency,” she said.

Meanwhile, the development is coming less than two weeks after the presidential candidates of the Peoples Coalition Party (PCP) and the All Grass Alliance (AGA), Nicolas Felix and Chuks Nwachukwu, withdrew from the race and declared support for the PDP presidential candidate.