Atiku Sure Of AC Winning More States

By HAMEED BRAIMAH

Former Vice-President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has expressed optimism that the Action congress would claim more states through the tribunals sitting across the country.

Alhaji Abubakar who was speaking in Port Harcourt against the backdrop of the success of the party in clinching the governorship ticket in Edo state after a long drawn legal battle, said his party stood
the chance of reclaiming some of the mandates freely given to its candidates but were stolen from them. He was however not specific on the states where the party expects victory.

He said outside the tribunal, the party which he founded in the wake of his frosty relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo would perform better in the coming elections in 2011.

The former vice president who said he was in Port Harcourt on a private visit was however not categorical in his rumored bid to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He confirmed that there were moves by some of his former political associates to get him back to the PDP.

He noted that the outcome of the exercise currently being carried out by the Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais Electoral Reform Panel would be the determining factor of the political future of every politician in the country including him.

Asked to comment on the performance of the present Yar’adua’s administration, Atiku noted that the government was doing its best but advised that Nigerians took time to demand from persons aspiring to political offices what they would do when they get voted into offices.

He said the lesson from the present situation was that in future, ability to deliver should be the basis for choosing leaders in Nigeria in line with the America model.

Asked what his present relationship with former President Obasanjo, Alhaji Atiku said it was cordial and made no attempts to emphasize on it.

The former vice president who was given a rousing reception at the Port Harcourt International Airport by AC supporters had earlier had a brief meeting with the Rivers AC leader and gubernatorial candidate of the April 2007 election, Prince Tonye Princewill.

He commended Princewill for the vigour and leadership style which according to him has brought the party to lime light in the state. He also gave a tacit approval of the AC participation in the unity government in the state, just as he commended Governor Amaechi for his sense of accommodation which has enabled members of the Action Congress to be in his cabinet.