Atiku Mocks Buhari: ‘If You’re Not Handing APC Presidential Ticket To Ogboru, You’re Mistaking 2015 For 2005’

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the national broadcast delivered by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

Atiku described the national broadcast, which was aired on the National Television Authority (NTA), as President Buhari’s farewell message to Nigerians ahead of his imminent defeat at the poll on Saturday.

The PDP presidential candidate also mocked “the many gaffes” of Buhari during his nationwide presidential campaign rallies.

Atiku reacted to the broadcast in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and Strategy, Mr Phrank Shaibu.

“We see President Muhammadu Buhari’s attack on the opposition in his nationwide broadcast, Thursday night, as part of the many gaffes which have come to define last days of the Buhari Presidency, rather than an address to be taken seriously by Nigerians,” the statement read.

“If the President is not telling Nigerians that he was sworn in as president in 2005, he is mistaking Ondo Central Senatorial District for Edo Central Senatorial District or surrendering his ticket to Mr. Great Ogboru whom he mistakenly referred to as the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while on campaign tour of the state.

“These gaffes and the latest negative comments against opposition elements in his nationwide broadcast are not the attributes of a leader who should be re-elected for another term of office.

“Even when he is voted out of office come Saturday February 16, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari must learn to rise above certain issues and do things that will enhance the respect the citizenry have for the office of the President, rather than rushing to exhibit soap-box mentality when the occasion does not call for it.

“As for which party will better serve the people, we leave that judgment to Nigerians who will decide on 16th February, instead of a highly-partisan and easily excitable President Buhari.”