I am disappointed by Atiku and his comment – Kingsley Moghalu
The former presidential candidate of Young Progressive Party (YPP) Mr. Kingsley Moghalu has reacted to the comment of the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar that what the North need is someone from the North, not Igbo or Yoruba.
While reacting to the development, Moghalu said he is “disappointed” over the remark made by Atiku.
In a series of tweets on his official Twitter handle, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) deputy governor said the comment negates his view of Atiku as a “truly cosmopolitan politician”.
“I was very disappointed to view the video clip of H.E. Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice-President of Nigeria, telling an audience in Kaduna that what the North needs is a northerner to be President, and not a Yoruba or Igbo candidate,” he began in the tweets.
Also Read:
Who is This Peter Obi Sef? Meet The Man for Nigeria’s Top Job
“I have a lot of respect for Atiku who, despite his flaws (which all the other leading contenders also have), I have always regarded as a truly cosmopolitan politician in our country. His reference to his ‘building bridges’ across the country does not negate his clear message
“That message was a direct appeal to divisive ethnic sentiment and a denigration of the largest ethnic groups in Southern Nigeria. I think he should withdraw the statement and apologize to Nigerians for it.”
Moghalu equally maintained that “all candidates in the 2023 presidential election must avoid ethnic or other divisive sentimental appeals”.
Inflammable Rhetoric’
Also reacting to the video of sane Atiku’s comment, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) described it as inflammable rhetoric.
APC’s spokesman Felix Morka described the comment as divisive, saying the country does not need such for now.
“Atiku’s words ring loud of extreme and mindless desperation and such an extremely desperate man cannot and must not be entrusted with the most important job of President – a job whose core duty is that of leading, uniting, and working in the best interest of all in an ethnoreligious pluralistic society as Nigeria,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
“Our country does not need this kind of highly inflammable rhetoric now or ever. What is even more confounding is that this Presidential Candidate of the PDP has touted himself to be on a mission to unify Nigeria.”
Also Read:
Labour Party Demands Apology from Atiku Over Ethnocentric Comment
How to Renounce Nigerian Citizenship
Easiest Countries to Migrate to From Nigeria
How Rich is Nigeria – A Nation of Corruption Without Boundaries?
Richest Musicians in Nigeria and Their Net Worth – Forbes 2022