It appears to have been recorded at the Candidate’s residence.
I prefer live interviews bcos you get to see the candidate think on their seats; but I’m happy with this bcos there were no ‘content-edits’ so what you see is what was said.
First question from Abati is on the messy VP selection process. Atiku, exuding confidence & composure, takes us through the process & calls on his right to select his VP.
He admits s there is an internal crisis but states that talks are ongoing with Wike & his men to resolve it.
Commentary:
Atiku is projecting strength and power, as he must; but serious back room approaches must be made to bring Wike back into the fold. Wike has the sympathies and loyalties of a handful of governors, and their support going into the elections is critical.
Bury the egos.
Labour won’t like this 2nd question. Asked about how Obi’s departure would affect his prospects, Candidate Atiku was unperturbed.
“Look at last election in Osun…this is a party without a governor, or members of national or state assemblies…”
Commentary:
Nothing more to add, really. Like the man said, you cannot push for a mono-religious or mono-ethnic presidential ticket in a country as multi-religious and multi-ethnic as Nigeria is today.
To do so, in the blind pursuit of power, is to court chaos.
1. In 2019, shortly after the presidential election the Supreme Court said he lost to Buhari, Atiku warned about the consequences of our doubling debt and the burden it would place on future generations
2. In 2020 @atiku again warned that debt-to-revenue had reached 99% & that again this voracious appetite for debt would bankrupt the nation and put future generations in financial jeopardy.
He advised the Govt on how to exit this debt trap but they sent Lai Moh’d to attack him.
Today, just like he predicted, debt servicing has finally surpassed Govt revenues.
Yet @atiku continues to proffer solutions out of this crisis: reduce Govt size; create a private sector led infrastructure debt fund; divest from unprofitable businesses; create new markets…
2. How was a question about the need for police reform and state police answered by Baba gloating about how he sent @seyiamakinde packing and instead said the solution to our security problems was a return to the empowerment of traditional/local leaders.
Like…how, Oga?
3. In case you did not hear well, Baba repeated it for the ones at the back:
APC is not going to give you state police.
As Baba start to yarn opps, @seunokin sharply change topic! 😂😂😂
4a. Ignorant.
On the appt of Dr. Doyin Salami, the president recalls being briefed by his new economic adviser that only 2.5% of Nigeria’s arable land is cultivated
That’s a lie.
2.5% is irrigated.
Yet he has based his ENTIRE economic recovery plan on this lie!
A few random thoughts, as it seems we have forgotten the mistakes of 2015.
Before we start, go take a look at my header. That is politics.
It is not fair. It is not just. It is the pursuit of power. And it will ONLY act fair, or just if that will secure power.
Let’s begin:
1. The 2023 elections will NOT be about fairness, or justice, or equity. It will necessarily be a choice between the two candidates the PDP and APC will present.
2. I’m seeing “anyone but [Atiku/GEJ/Osinbajo/Tinubu] tweets. Stop with the silliness. That’s how we got Buhari.
3. When TWO candidates emerge, dispassionately vote for the one who will protect & advance your interests, & consequently society’s interests
4. Parties do not present saviors or saints; religions & cults do. So PLEASE avoid demagogues. Again, that’s how we ended up with Buhari.
1. The next Nigerian President will be either a PDP or APC candidate.
2. The only role a 3rd force party can play is by either tipping the vote one way or the other for the two aforementioned parties; or forming an alliance with one of them.
3. For legislative elections into houses of assemblies or the National Assembly, 3rd force candidates can shine.
4. We need brilliant people to occupy the vacuums that currently exist there.
5. Securing APC/PDP legislative tickets can be an expensive & non-inclusive process.
6. If you’re passionate about politics & how the legislative process can improve the lives of the people around you; and you can connect with your local community, try alternative parties.
7. But start now. Go home. Meet your people. Find out what they need and how you can help.