Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party Atiku Abubakar has said remarks made by his counterpart in the All Progressive Congress Bola Ahmed Tinubu are signs that the APC candidate can see defeat awaiting him.
Specifically making reference to comments by Tinubu in Abeokuta the Ogun State Capital on Monday, where he alluded to some orchestrated moves to scuttle his victory in the coming presidential election, Atiku, through one of his campaign spokesmen, Frank Shaibu, said the remarks were out of desperation.
Tinubu had said at the rally, “We are going to reclaim our government by using PVC. We will trek to our rallies despite the fact that there is fuel scarcity in the country. We will trek to claim our mandate.
“They are using series of tricks just for our people not to vote. Forget it, we will vote and win this election. I, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu assured you of that. Fuel scarcity will disappear under my administration.
“Let the fuel scarcity continues, they know where they keep it. You keep money, fuel and other valuable things, we will vote and win. If you like, change the picture on Naira Notes. I will win.”
But responding, Shaibu said Tinubu is not the only candidate who is affected by the ongoing Naira redesign and the perennial fuel scarcity in the country.
He said, said, “Even though the CBN policy affects all 18 political parties, Tinubu is the only one frustrated because his plan to deploy bullion vans and bribe poor voters and security agents on the day of election has failed woefully.
“Recall that on the eve of the 2019 Presidential election, two cash laden bullion vans were pictured entering Tinubu’s premises located on 26 Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi. Several petitions were written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but nothing was done.
“Also frustrated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s unwillingness to attend some of his insipid rallies, Tinubu launched an attack against the President who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum.
“The frustrated APC candidate stated, “You’re hoarding fuel and hoarding the naira. Still, we will vote, and we will win this election.
Whether you change the ink of the naira or spend money till you are in debt, things won’t turn out as you hope, we are the ones who will win the election, and our opponents will fail.”
“It is funny that Tinubu is just commenting over the fuel scarcity which started in different parts of the country as far back as February 2022. In Lagos, where Tinubu claims to be the landlord, the state has been witnessing fuel queues since last November. It is therefore dubious of Tinubu to try to extricate himself from the failures of his party because elections are 30 days away.
“Like his previous colourless rallies, the discombobulated APC candidate vowed that his supporters would use their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to “chase them out of power next month”.
“Besides, the so-called Lagos godfather, who says he will remove petrol subsidy on his first day in office if he wins, told the people of Ogun State that he will push the price of petrol below N200 per litre. It is obvious that he has not even read his own manifesto.
“Tinubu’s paranoia is clearly getting the best of him. He has gone from attacking the leader of his own party to Igbos and northerners all because he believes they are not supporting his failed Presidential ambition.
For a man who claimed to have single handedly made Buhari President, it is funny that he is now running from pillar to post all in a bid to save what is left of his failed campaign.
“Having seen his imminent defeat at the polls, he is already using the fuel scarcity and naira redesign as excuses. Tinubu should throw in the towel or get ready to be disgraced on February 25, 2023. A word is enough for the wise.”