The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has been advised to quit the 2023 Presidential race, over ethnic bias.
Director, Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, Festus Keyamo, made the called while reacting to Atiku’s comment that Nigeria needs a pan-Nigerian President and not a Yoruba or Igbo President in 2023.
Atiku had on Saturday, at an event in Kaduna, urged Nigerians, particularly the northerners to vote for him because he is a Northerner and pan-Nigerian.
Condemning the remark, in a tweet on his official Twitter handle @fKeyamo, the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, accused the PDP Presidential candidate of bringing ethnic bias into his campaign.
The Director of Public Affairs, in a series of tweets wrote: “This is the height of desperation & daredevilry on the part of Atiku!
“This is so horrendous, so horrible & so thoughtless for Atiku Abubakar to use ethnicity to campaign, saying the North does not need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate? My God! Atiku needs to quit the race TODAY!
“Some of his hirelings have brought out their hammers & nails to try to panel-beat this clear and obvious statement, instead of taking the route of honour to apologise to Nigerians or step down honourably from the race. No ‘repackaging’ or ‘panel-beating’ will repair this damage.”
Keyamo also condemned Atiku and the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for playing ethnic and religious cards, referencing their quotes over the 2023 election.
His tweets: “A northerner does not need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate.’’ – PDP’s Atiku Abubakar.
“Church, it is time to take back your country.” – LP’s Peter Obi
“Though tongues and tribes may differ, our diversity is a promise for prosperity.”
APC’s @officialABAT”
