Former Vice-President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said that he remains a progressive to the core. Speaking at the Ekiti Day 2013 in Lagos where he was the Chief Launcher, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar further revealed that the progressives are set to take over governance in the country. Enjoy the excerpts….
Why did you decide to be the Special Guest and Chief Launcher of Ekiti Parapo Day?
Well, I have been very close to the Yorubas by proxy, my better half (my wife) is from this part of the country and if my wife is from such area, it invariably means I am from the zone too. Aside this, many of my political associates are from Ekiti State. I believe most of you know how close the former governor of the state, Niyi Adebayo is to me but by and large, Ekiti people are truly good to me; that is why I am with them.
Can we say it has political undertone?
Well, nothing like that. Like I told you, Ekiti people are good to me; that is why I am here with them. Mind you, most Ekiti leaders are progressives and you know too well I am a progressive too. So, when people of like minds meet; things work out.
The former governor of Ogun State said you were once their leader and few months ago; you left their party but now you are back. What actually was the major factor of your action?
Well, we are actually back as progressives, you know a progressive will ever be a progressive despite the fact that there was a little misunderstanding then but now we are back together as progressives, that is why I said am a progressive for life.
So, what is the way forward for the new PDP?
The new PDP are the Progressives we are talking about, these people are the politicians that people should always commend because they saw that what the ruling party is doing is not what the people expected and if a government is receiving bad comments from the people they govern; then, something is going on which should not be so. I believe the agitation for the new PDP is to get things done in the way they are supposed to be done. When people complained of lack of dividends of democracy, you can see now that we are not getting it right. Though I am talking from my personal perspective, I think we need a government that is people- oriented, that can guarantee the security of lives and property. Government that can guarantee education, healthcare facilities and the rest.
There was a report that you abused your boss, Olusegun Obasanjo face to face when you were in power, this has really generated lots of controversies. Could you tell us more?
Those topics are not important for discussion; take for instance, you and your boss fought, what is the big deal in that issue. Let’s pray for Nigeria for Allah’s intervention.