FORMER vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has confirmed that he will
present himself in the next presidential election, saying his rumoured interest
in the race should not be a surprise to Nigerians.The presidency, nonetheless, wishes him well, saying anybody’s right, including Abubakar’s, to contest the 2015 election is guaranteed by the constitution.
Abubakar said his ambition to rule Nigeria will depend on a number of factors which he was yet to disclose, just as he dismissed any alliance talks with the Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Abubakar said in a brief electronic interview that any alliance aimed at achieving the ambition would be within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The disclosure is coming amidst reports that his loyalists across the country were already making efforts to make an in road to the South-West, even as they were striving for a cordial relationship between their principal and his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, with strong indications that they are awaiting the outcome of the Ondo State governorship election in October 20.
Meanwhile, the Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr Ahmed Gulak, has said the former vice-president had the right to run in 2015.
“Atiku is private individual; the directive by the president that people should engage less in 2015 bickering because of the attendant distractions concerns only those in government, as well people of good conscience who share the same spirit with the president.
“As an individual, if Abubakar says he has decided to polish his sandals and run, we can only wish him well because it is the inalienable right of every Nigerian, including Atiku, to run for the highest office in any place they find themselves,” he said.