2023 Presidency: Saraki campaign council Debunks Step-Down Report
The campaign council of Senator Bukola Saraki has debunked rumors that some presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2023 elections have stepped down for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The Director-General of the Saraki Campaign Council, Osaro Onaiwu, noted this in a statement Wednesday, dismissing the report as “sheer mischief, and planted by those who want to gain the PDP presidential ticket by deceit.”
On Monday, March 29, 2022, an online newspaper reported that Saraki, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state have stepped down for Atiku.
However, Onaiwu said, “Our attention has been called to an online Newspaper that our candidate alongside their Excellencies Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi States have stepped down for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the PDP presidential ticket.
“The report is sheer mischief and planted by those who want to gain the PDP ticket by deceit. For clarity purposes, our candidate and three other aspirants met with Vice President Atiku on Monday with the sole objective to inform him of their push toward a consensus candidate for the party.
“At that meeting, there was no talk of any of the aspirants stepping down as it is yet premature. To, therefore, find a planted story smacks of desperation and ill-intention.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our candidate is eminently qualified for the PDP presidential ticket as a former two-term governor, chairman of the Governors Forum, the most engaging and result-oriented Senate President and a former presidential aspirant.
“Also, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, as former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a serving two-term governor is also qualified for the ticket.
“Last but not least is Governor Bala Mohammed, a former senator, ex-minister and serving governor, is qualified for the ticket. So, let no other aspirant hide under some nebulous assumption that he is overly qualified than others to be stepped down for.
“When and if there is a concrete agreement on a winning consensus and others step down for whoever, it will be done openly. Until then, Senator Bukola Saraki, Tambuwal and Mohammed are still in the race,” the statement added
