By Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has chronicled different times the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) sang his praises for his contribution to the development of Nigeria.
This he said became pertinent after a series of attacks and uncultured habit of hurling insults and casting aspersions on his personality by the Buhari Campaign Organisation, the presidency and the APC.
Atiku, in a statement Thursday by his campaign organisation, said that it was rather unfortunate that because they have no record of performance, these institutions would rather run an ad hominem campaign.
It therefore reminded APC, the presidency of their past praise and validation of Atiku, while asking them what has changed between then and now.
It stated: “On December 22, 2014, President Muhammadu Buhari declared that Atiku Abubakar is ‘an inspiration’ who has done a ‘great service’. Today, the presidency is singing a different tune. How can Nigeria be stable economically and politically if the President cannot be counted to stick to his words?
“On December 21, 2014, the All Progressives Congress issued a statement describing Atiku as a ‘special gift’ and ‘an asset’. Today, the same party is hurling invective on the man they once celebrated as an exemplary citizen. Is this two facedness the type of example they want to give to Nigerians?
“Moreover, on December 19, 2014, the All Progressives Congress praised Atiku as an ‘agent of change’. Now that Atiku Abubakar is on the brink of effecting the promised change that the APC failed to implement, they have ‘changed’ and now call him all sorts of negative names.
“If Nigerians cannot trust President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress to stand by their words, how can they trust them to stand by any promise they make to the nation?
“Finally, we urge the presidency, the Buhari Campaign Organisation and the All Progressives Congress to stick to issues. We on our own part are informing Nigerians on how Atiku Abubakar will get Nigeria working again by focusing on JOBS (Jobs, Opportunity, Being United and Security). We therefore urge the Buhari camp to allow themselves be inspired by higher ideals, instead of this pedestrian approach of insults and gutter language.”
