On Tuesday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) reiterated its pointed criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, branding him as an infamous electoral loser. This statement was made by Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, who responded to Atiku’s claim that he did not lose the 2023 presidential election. Atiku, a prominent figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserted via his social media that the mandate he sought was “criminally stolen” from him. This assertion led to a scathing response from Morka, emphasizing the former vice president’s history of electoral failures and stating that he has not gained serious recognition due to his track record.
Morka pointed out that Atiku had lost elections to every president elected in Nigeria since his tenure as vice president, underscoring a total of six defeats over 17 years. He criticized Atiku’s persistent claims of electoral malpractice, suggesting that they reflect a level of desperation and an inability to confront the reality of his political situation. According to Morka, Atiku’s attempts to redefine his political narrative seem to stem from a refusal to accept the electorate’s verdict, which he described as a portrayal of disturbing political desperation.
Highlighting the depth of this rejection, Morka argued that Atiku’s long history of losses demonstrates a significant lack of support from the Nigerian populace. He emphasized that rather than winning the trust of the electorate, Atiku’s repeated failures have rendered him a figure of ridicule and mistrust in Nigerian politics. Morka further conveyed that citizens are unlikely to vote for someone with such a problematic history, stressing that the electorate would act in their own best interest by avoiding such candidates.
The APC’s staunch position on Atiku reflects broader political dynamics in Nigeria, where electoral trust and integrity are paramount in the eyes of voters. Morka invoked the sentiments of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, relaying a past statement from Obasanjo underscoring his deep mistrust of Atiku’s credibility. This sentiment strengthens Morka’s claims that Atiku is seen in a particularly unfavorable light among key political figures, insinuating that even his former allies view him with skepticism.
Furthermore, the APC’s latest remarks resonate with ongoing discourse surrounding the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral processes. Atiku’s allegations of a stolen mandate echo broader concerns about electoral fairness, but Morka’s dismissal of those claims serves to undermine their validity in the eyes of the public. By branding Atiku as a perennial loser, the APC aims to solidify their stance as a party committed to progress and accountability, contrasting their political narrative against what they frame as Atiku’s history of defeat and denial.
In conclusion, the APC’s criticism of Atiku Abubakar underscores both a personal attack on his political legacy and a strategic defense of their own electoral integrity. The back-and-forth exchange illustrates the intense rivalry between the two major political parties in Nigeria, with each side seeking to solidify their influence and credibility in the eyes of voters. As elections draw nearer, such statements and counterclaims will likely escalate, reflecting the high stakes involved in shaping public perception and electoral outcomes in Nigerian politics.
