Fireworks over Buhari And Atiku

President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar have come under the scrutiny of Nigerians in a prelude to the 2019 presidential election battle.

The sensational declaration by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Jummai Alhassan, last Wednesday, that she would be supporting former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, whom she described as her godfather, in 2019 and not President Muhammadu Buhari, who appointed her into his cabinet, if both men choose to contest the presidential election; and Atiku’s outburst that the Buhari administration had sidelined him even though he helped to install it, sparked debates. Amid the discourse, an online medium, SaharaReporters, conducted a mock poll asking Nigerians who they would vote for if the presidential election were to hold now. In the poll conducted and the final result declared yesterday, 43 per cent of the 20,253 Nigerians that participated said they would vote for Buhari, 12 per cent said they would vote for Atiku, while 45 per cent said neither Buhari nor Atiku deserve their votes.

Many Nigerians also took to other social media platforms to express their opinions on the issue:

Romla: This Minister should show loyalty or step down. Atiku for me from his records even within his home state Adamawa has always been a self-interest leader. However, Buhari should step down at least for health reasons. It is time for more people of African descent to show honour and dignity by leaving positions voluntarily for whatever reason, while there is still some ovation. Mr President, don’t contest in 2019 and bring honour to yourself, your family, Nigeria and all people of African descent.

Sarah: This is very likely to be the tipping point from which Buhari cannot bounce back. Atiku has publicly complained about how he felt used and ignored after Buhari’s 2015 victory. At this rate, if any of OBJ or Abdulsalami makes a negative comment/letter to Buhari, then he becomes a ‘dead man walking’. Buhari is frail and should now focus on completing his tenure and stepping down at 2019 to look after his health.

Dele Awogbeoba: In the core North and Niger (14 states in total), Buhari still remains a very potent force. There is no evidence yet that the Yoruba (with seven states and a third of Kogi) have abandoned the APC for the PDP. That is 21 states already. Then the remaining four states of the Middle Belt will have to be examined. Edo is likely to stay with APC if PDP fields a northerner. That leaves Atiku with five states of the South-south and five states of the South-east plus possibly Adamawa. Atiku has no chance of winning.

Avatar B.B: To be clear, I am neither an Atiku nor a Buhari supporter. Your analysis however is bereft of facts. The South-west has six states to start with. There is widespread loathing of the present administration across the land. Please note that I am not saying Buhari doesn’t still have a strong following, just that the strength of that following has been depleted by his abysmal performance as president.

Dele Awogbeoba: I mentioned the Yoruba states are seven and a third of Kogi. I made no mention of zones. Kwara is not part of the unofficial South-west but is 85 per cent Yoruba. Kogi is not part of the South-west but is about 35 per cent Yoruba. The PDP is an anti Yoruba party. Already they are moving to consigning the Yoruba to party chairman and therefore irrelevance. Buhari will still win 14 states of the North whether he improves his economic performance or he does not. At the moment, the Nigerian economy is improving and chances are by the time of the election, the Nigerian economy will be back to growth levels of at least three to four per cent if not better. The Yoruba will still opt for APC, which means the seven states, which they dominate, will be added to the 14 states that Buhari holds sway. That leaves four states of the North-central and 11 states of the South-south and South-east. Edo is more likely to stay with APC if PDP run

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