2023 Presidency: Tinubu is wasting his time; race between Atiku, Peter Obi – Dogara

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara has declared that the race for the 2023 presidency is between former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi based on empirical evidence on the ground in the polity.
According to Dogara, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu does not have a chance for a good showing at the forthcoming Presidential polls on the 25th of February next month.
Dogara added that the former Kano governor, Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP has not carried a nationwide campaign required for the presidency, adding that among the first two, Atiku remains the best presidential option for the nation judging from experience, performance and social relations he has established over the years.
Dogara dropped this hint as keynote speaker in Jos at the weekend during the Arewa Christian Indigenous Pastors Association, ACIPA’s day of prayers, awards and book dedication.
He rated four of the leading presidential candidates and scored them according to what he described as their tract records, visibility, good social relations virtues of unity and brotherhood.
Concerning Atiku, he said, “God forbid that we should imagine that he is perfect but we cannot deny that he is by far the most experienced and that what he has done for the Northern Church has no known parallels in Nigeria’s history.
“This was one of his major appeals to some of us who endorsed his candidature. In case we have forgotten, let me remind us of Governors Boni Haruna and Jolly Nyameh who governed Adamawa and Taraba States for 8 and 10 years respectively with the full backing of Atiku. Don’t also forget that Atiku was my only backer at that level when I ran and won the speakership race nearly eight years ago.”
Dogara noted that Atiku said clearly then that since the President is a Muslim and the Senate President was going to be another Muslim if we must not spit on the legacies of Sardauna and other founding fathers of our nation, the position of the speakership must go to a Christian.
“Atiku came under serious pressure to change his position but he held firm to his conviction until we won the race. If that is not enough, a brother of ours from Chibok commanded me to always mention the fact that Atiku is the only leader amongst the candidates who offered full scholarships to the rescued Chibok girls. He sent me the evidence and said since a friend in need is a friend indeed, he will not only vote for Atiku but ensure that the world hears about what Atiku did for his people and that the community gives him massive votes to do more for them.
“Believe me, there are other compelling stories that time will not permit us to share. In addition, Atiku has a strong partner in a Governor who is not just a Christian but a man of abiding faith in Nigeria and our people.”
Dogara added that he is convinced that together they will provide the needed leadership to unite Nigerians of all creeds and lay a solid path to prosperity for all.
”If I have challenged the Northern church to rate the candidates based on their contributions to the church and vote for whoever has done more so that he can do more.
“Mark my words, anyone who has not done much will not change overnight and begin to do more merely because he has been elected president. It just doesn’t work that way.”