Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 2016 presidential contender, has stated that he turned down the opportunity to be President Bola Tinubu’s running mate.
Additionally, Atiku stated that he never deserted Tinubu during their 2007 political alliance.
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Instead, he allegedly stood up to his then-prince, President Olusegun Obasanjo, in order to prevent Lagos State from being swept away by the political tsunami of 2003.
After the former governor of Lagos State expressed interest in serving as Atiku’s running mate in 2007, the two eventually revealed they had political differences.
“I beg to disagree with Bola Ahmed Tinubu (on the betrayal allegation),” he remarked. Yes, it is accurate to say that in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2007, we came together to establish an alliance. At the convention, I ran for office and won. He dispatched about 5 or 6 seniors after I received the ticket; some of them are present; I could even identify them, but I don’t want to make them feel bad.
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“They told me that Bola wanted to be my running buddy when they met me. You’re all old enough, gentlemen, and it appears that all but one of you are Christians, I said to the group. What will be your response to purchasing a ticket amongst Muslims?
“All of them stated that we completely opposed it, and I asked why you hadn’t told him while he was conveying the message that, look, Mr. Tinubu, the message you’re sending us, we don’t seem to agree with you on it (the Muslim-Muslim ticket)? Why are you visiting me then? Consequently, our political partnership came to an end. What basis does he have to accuse me of betraying him since we parted ways?
We are a multi-ethnic and multi-religious people, and our government must represent our diversity, as well as our makeup. Until now, I won’t run on a Muslim-Muslim ticket. I don’t have to be president.
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