THE EMERGENCE OF ATIKU ABUBAKAR AS PDP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND ITS HEADACHE FOR APC! - Olorogun Paul Akpor Abu

There has been a lot of claims that Atiku Abubakar is driven by blind ambition to lead Nigeria. Some also claim that he carries with him a lot of baggage that he needs to shed on his journey to Aso Rock.

However, there is one thing we cannot deny about Waziri Adamawa, he is focus, he is passionate about investing in Nigeria with visible businesses all over the country employing hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, his unbridled enthusiasm along with the massive structure and network of political associates he has deliberately put in place across the length and breadth of the country since the return of democratic rule.

Judging by the body language of Atiku and all the PDP Presidential Aspirants led by Saraki after Atiku was declared a winner, I noticed a united political family that will be going into the FORTHCOMING presidential election as ONE big happy family contrary to the expectations of many.

On the other hand, APC despite having a sole presidential candidate presently don't have the weight they had before the 2015 elections as most of the key actors are now in PDP. The fallout of several primaries will also play a deadly role against APC. One can conveniently say that there are now so many 'swing states' like Osun, Kaduna, Ondo, and even Lagos in spite of the "Jagaban". Today, APC can no longer count on the same votes it received in 2015 in states like Benue, Plateau, and Taraba.

Atiku, of course, will pick his running mate from either the SW or SE while singing the restructuring tune which when implemented will just be enough for a tenure to pacify the SS, while Kwankwaso and Tambuwal will ensure Atiku gets his 25% tally in Kano and Sokoto. We're also sure the same will happen in Kaduna and of course Adamawa if not even a landslide as it's the home state of Turaki Adamawa (Atiku).

I laugh at those who believe the emergence of Atiku is ONLY but an icing on the cake of Buhari's reelection come 2019. To such people, I say be patient and wear your seatbelt for we're about to go on a very turbulent and long flight