Sunnews reporters reported that ahead of this week’s national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), that there are indications that the political camp of President Goodluck Jonathan is seriously worried over the possible emergence of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential candidate of the party.
A source close to the Presidency, who craved anonymity, told Daily Sun that there were whispers of mutual suspicion among Jonathan’s foot soldiers concerning internal sabotage and outright betrayal of the President should Atiku emerge the APC presidential flag bearer.Continue reading....
He said the Presidency was particularly worried over Atiku’s relationship with several members of the United States Congress and other top government and security officials in the United States.
Our source said the Presidency was aware that many members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) and several other leaders of the ruling party were friends of Atiku.
He also noted that part of the fears in Jonathan’s camp were that many serving PDP governors, ministers and advisers in the present administration as well as state executives were indebted to Atiku and might betray Jonathan in favour of Atiku, once they saw that he was the sole candidate of the North and therefore, with brighter chances of victory.
The source said: “There is the fear that Atiku would pose the greatest challenge to Jonathan’s second term ambition for a number of reasons. Atiku’s relationship with the United States is of serious concern. Coming at a time when Abuja’s relationship with Washington is at its lowest ebb over insecurity in the country, the US may favour regime change in Nigeria, which may benefit Atiku.
“There is also the fear of sabotage from senators, Representatives members, serving and former PDP governors, who might have benefited from Atiku. The same goes for serving ministers and advisers to the President, some current NWC and BOT members as well as state executive of PDP. Atiku’s machinery in the PDP is still intact. The man has a lot of friends and loyalists in Jonathan’s cabinet and across all levels of the PDP who may either switch camp or even work discreetly for him while still on Jonathan’s payroll.”
He added that the Presidency was aware and therefore, worried that apart from the fact that Atiku would be the sole candidate of the North, since other APC aspirants worked with him, the former vice president also being seen by the majority of Nigerians as a liberal Muslim without ethnic bias or other sentiments, stood a better chance to defeat Jonathan at the polls.
The Sun.
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