The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the prediction in his favour by an international magazine, The Economist.
The Economist predicted that Atiku will win the 2019 presidential election.
The former Vice President reacted through Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization, APCO.
The APCO said the prediction was a vindication of its stand that the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, deliberately twisted the narrative with his recent claim that some foreign media were not favourably disposed to Atiku’s candidature.
In a statement issued Friday in Abuja, the campaign organization pointed out that “As the Economist rightly states, the issues in 2019 are popular frustration over the rise in joblessness and poverty (two of the biggest voter concerns) on Mr. Buhari’s watch, as well as growing insecurity in central Nigeria.
“No other candidate has the capacity to address these challenges, like Atiku under whose watch as Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, Nigeria had her highest growth in job numbers.
“Atiku, is poised to translate the significant success he has made in his private business empire to the public sector. This anticipation is responsible for the momentum he now enjoys in all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
“For the past one year, Abubakar has traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria, selling his plans, vision and policies to Nigerians. Unfortunately, rather than do the same, the All Progressive Congress, APC, has focused on negative campaigning by slandering Abubakar’s past.
“We are not surprised by their actions. When a man’s future intimidates people, they focus on lying about his past because they cannot compete in the present. However, we thank The Economist for proving that no matter how far and fast falsehood has traveled, it must eventually be overtaken by truth.
“For now, we remind Nigerians that Atiku means JOBS. And by providing the atmosphere for Jobs, Opportunity, Being United, JOBS, Atiku is ready to “Get Nigeria Working Again.”