Fellow Nigerians, interesting times are here again. And the ways of God are mysterious indeed. This time last week, no one was sure who would ultimately emerge as the quintessential leader of opposition for the general elections in our dear beloved country which comes up in February next year. There were about 12 assorted gladiators lined up and seeking the Presidential ticket of PDP, which truly needs to redeem itself urgently from the vestiges of near death. For the most part, its national convention in Port Harcourt went smoothly. Even its worst critics attest to the fact that it was effectively well organised and set the right tone for the regeneration of the democratic credentials of the Party. What was more remarkable, a candidate emerged without rancour or the usual bickering that attends such highly contentious contests. Virtually all the other aspirants immediately aligned with their chosen candidate, former Vice President of Nigeria, the Wazirin Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Since then, both traditional and social media have ignited with blazing fire with both positive and negative comments about the outcome. Atiku himself wasted no time in seeking the support of everyone, whether members of his Party or not. He’s smart and knowledgeable to know that he will need more than votes of the Party faithful alone to win the stiff electoral battle ahead. As he emphasised in my two previous interviews with him in the last couple of months, he has redeemed his pledge to pick a Vice Presidential candidate from the South East of Nigeria, a move many Nigerians have applauded, and embraced, as a masterstroke. The choice of former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State is seen by some analysts as the first step towards the restructuring Atiku and company have been mouthing from the rooftops in recent times. Apart from this, Peter Obi is seen by many as a seasoned technocrat and astute businessman with credible and capable government experience and service. The Igbos have rightly complained that they have had neither the Presidential or Vice-Presidential slot since 1983, some 35 years ago, when Dr Alex Ekwueme, of blessed memory, was President Shehu Shagari’s deputy. Buhari has an equally formidable person, who also boasts intimidating credentials and capabilities, as his Vice-President in Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

Obi comes with an array of impressive academic, business and political credentials and achievements. He is a Philosophy graduate from the University of Nsukka. He has improved and enhanced himself with academic and practical studies at Harvard Business School, London School of Economics, Kellogg School of Management, University of Columbia, Said Business School, Oxford University, George Business School, Cambridge University and Lagos Business School. These have sharpened his entrepreneurial, management and leadership skills which he clearly utilised in the 8 years that he was Governor of Anambra State between 2006 and 2014. Peter Obi is a recipient of many national and international awards notably the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation Award for which his State won US$1 million for its immunisation programme. He created an enabling environment for industrial development in Anambra State which saw the likes of SABMiller, the 2nd largest brewery in the world establishing their first Greenfield facility in Anambra State. Similarly, Innoson Motors established their internationally acclaimed plant where they manufacture their made in Nigeria vehicles. Obi adds unquantifiable value to the Atiku candidacy in much the same way as Vice President Osinbajo has done for President Buhari. The battle of the Vice-Presidential candidates may well be the tipping point of these forthcoming elections. We will revisit the contest between this highly esteemed and acclaimed gentlemen soon.

The battle for the control of Nigeria’s jugular in 2019 is all set and looks like a straight fight between Buhari/Osinbajo and Abubakar/Obi, except a miracle, or some magic, erupts and one of the fringe candidates pulls a monumental surprise by defeating both teams in what must be close to a volcanic eruption in Nigeria. I personally do not see that happening.

The battle will be tough because old rivalries will also come into play. Buhari needs to prove and revalidate his seeming invincibility which seems to be waning if my reading of the pulse of public opinion is accurate. As the incumbent, Buhari controls the appurtenances of power. His ego is at stake. Like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Buhari came back to power as a retired army General and former military Head of State. Obasanjo was able to complete two terms and Buhari would definitely wish to equal that feat even if he can’t surpass it because of constitutional limitations. Buhari is not known to be a self-acclaimed democrat. The aspect of his brand that has brought him this far is his no-nonsense posturing. A man who would destroy and obliterate all looters and oppressors, by any means possible, if allowed to have his way. This has endeared him to a multitude of totally loyal die-hard supporters. His disciples swear by his name and they are willing to fly to heaven and back to prove their ardent fervour and love for him.

Buhari comes into the boxing ring with a daunting personality and attributes. He is tall and gangling, even if seemingly frail, but his punches are capable of deadly effect. Unlike Obasanjo or Atiku, many have said this President is not going to bow to any public opinion and go away without a whimper. Fingers are being pointed at the recent over-militarisation of the democratic process and suspected manipulation of the electoral body, INEC. Whether imaginary or not, or imagination just running riot, no one can easily dismiss certain unseemly electoral practices and possibilities in next year’s elections. We hope that the desperation to remain in power will not go as far as besmirching the view of how far our democracy has been deepened by the fact of President Goodluck Jonathan, accepting the will of the people, and handing over power to President Buhari without any fuss.

READ ON: https://skytrendnews.com/2018/10/13/atiku-defeat-buhari-2019-dele-momodu/

Me and ma family must atikulate

He can't, Though people are tired of this government, the masses that will vote are not on social media, they are in the core north, they will stay under the rain and in the Sun, the elites will have no time to vote, they will be too big to queue,They will have that fear to go to the polling units because of violence, PMB will win the north, PDP is not even in power in Adamawa so the vote will be divided, they will win North central but it won't be by a large margin, PDP will win the South South and South East, but expect PMB not to lose the way he lost there in the last election, because of those that defected or those in his cabinet, APC will win majority of south west with a wide margin apart from lagos.
PMB will still come back.
Elections are not won on media

Buhari na sure bet jare, Atiku bawo.
Anyone who knows were dem dey BET for 2019 presidential election should speak out, I want bet o.

if Dele was a woman, he would have been a first class olosho

Nigeria as a country if she continues like this will soon start to reap the devedents of democracy. I say this in regards to elections. In 2015 PDP relied on the prophesies made by most of their prophets(members ),that they will rule Nigeria for one hundred years before they will relinquish power.But jst like tsunami,defeat heat them so had that ex president Jonathan didn't no when he picked up his phone to congratulate Buhari.we are close to another election and the atmosphere is very tensed again.the ruling party before now said Mr president is a religion in Nigeria and as such can't be defeated.in fact he is a god.but as it stands their is panic in their camp. What these signifies is that Nigerians can no longer be taken for granted.we will get there soon.let no one think he is a God,if u fuckup up we will show you the way out.

Atiku has already won. We're jst waiting for time to run down to May 2019 when he'd be sworn in. Every well-meaning and sane Nigerian knws the Atiku and Obi combo is what this country needs as a matter of urgency

#AtikuObi2019

Mosesoly:
He can't, Though people are tired of this government, the masses that will vote are not on social media, they are in the core north, they will stay under the rain and in the Sun, the elites will have no time to vote, they will be too big to queue,They will have that fear to go to the polling units because of violence, PMB will win the north, PDP is not even in power in Adamawa so the vote will be divided, they will win North central but it won't be by a large margin, PDP will win the South South and South East, but expect PMB not to lose the way he lost there in the last election, because of those that defected or those in his cabinet, APC will win majority of south west with a wide margin apart from lagos.
PMB will still come back.
Elections are not won on media

He has won! The people that will vote anywhere are tired of this govt except buharideens. Nigerians will defeat Buharideens!

SirVictory:
Atiku has already won. We're jst waiting for time to run down to May 2019 when he'd be sworn in. Every well-meaning and sane Nigerian knws the Atiku and Obi combo is what this country needs as a matter of urgency

#AtikuObi2019

What happened to,"Biafra or Death","The Zoo must fall"?

If Atiku does not beat Buhari then we will DeAlmagate this contraption once and for all
... We sound it clear that we will not accept Buhari as our President beyond May 29 next year under any guise ...

Okoroawusa:

What happened to,"Biafra or Death","The Zoo must fall"?

Fear not, Atiku is not a tribalist...he would unite Nigeria. He would make Nigeria one and great again

Atiku can't fit!
#iStandWithBuhari #iStandWithBuhari #BuhariTill2023

[s]

SarkinYarki:
If Atiku does not beat Buhari then we will DeAlmagate this contraption once and for all
... We sound it clear that we will not accept Buhari as our President beyond May 29 next year under any guise ...

[/s]

I said it, it will be Biafra or death after Buhari's inevitable Victory next year..

Ndigbo having supported a corrupt fulani man for another 8 years, would not have the moral ground to shout Biafra next year.

Hmmm
Buhari is seeking a second term, with what would he justify his claim?
He spent almost 4yrs in govt ( with almost half of those years in London sick bed) and virtually nothing to show.
And worse still, he claims to have recovered billions of looted funds and no evidence on ground as what he did with the funds... And with all that his govt has become the world's renowned borrowing begger.

Ok, Buhari wants to be 2nd term president, no wahala.
But he must be ready to participate in the Presidential Debate with his co Presidential contestants and publicly tell us what he intends to do and how he intends to transform the economy ( Not the fighting corruption jargon he and his supporters are claiming).

IT WILL BE FANTASTIC TO WATCH BUHARI DEBATING AGAINST KINGSLEY MOGALU, DONALD DUKE, FELA DUROTOYE, ATIKU, OBY EZEKWESILI, SOWERE ETC.

We know the Dullard amongst them will be last.
Unfortunately, Buhari can never participate in such debate knowing fully well he has nothing to offer.

Only Fools and Charlatans will support and want a Dullard be thsir President even when they fully know he has nothing upstairs.

Anyway, Atiku has an edge over Buhari and Atiku chances of winning 2019 election are growing by the day.

Dele first tell your people that claim sophistication that in the 21century.. tribalism is an act for primitives human and Bushmen..

So far.. they've shown how low iq Bushman mentality.

Then tell them to focus on issue bases campaign for dia son..and stop being petty..

Nigeria have more than 250 ethnic group.. and they're just one.. others are watching and reading their mumuness..
So this is how they intend to be president in this country?

To govern Nigeria based on tribalism?

With the level of primitiveness and illteracy display by them..

Everyone one.. Nigerians are now really scared of allowing Dem near power..

Maybe you take your time and visit..other tribes and hear dia opinion..

A venue man will talk..dey will call him ipob..wailer..same with ijaw..efik kalabari..na only igbo dey..abi other opinion no matter..
This election has really expose the Yoruba tribe to other humans who Neve get chance of meeting Dem..

Is such a huge ..hand falling..

Only if dey understand what Nigerian think about them now..

Yuck..
Sucks to be a tribalist.. and den they turn around to accuse ibos of hate..

Now go through this forum..nairaland .and define hate again

Propaganda dont last..

Thank God for the internet..
We for don dey read this ibadan dailies ..watch dia t.v and believe whatever dey say against ibos..
Now we know dey real deal.

CilicMarin:
[s][/s]

I said it, it will be Biafra or death after Buhari's inevitable Victory next year..

Ndigbo having supported a corrupt fulani man for another 8 years, would not have the moral ground to shout PDP.

Your God tinubu.. champion Tru federalism and regionalisms..for years only to become vice and forgot all he stood for..

Probably after hi defeat with his Dullard..he will go back to shout Tru federalism and regionalisms..

Hypocrites..And tribalist..

Sucks to be a Yorubas tribalist..
This election has really expose you humans to the rest of the country..

Pained fulls..

Has anyone seen the many faces of BMC

Topics all over politics section defaming Atiku a d trying to cause division between Igbos and Yorubas.
Introducing the religious and ethnic cards.

They first played the card that PDP will scatter after primaries it was not so.

They brought up the issue that Atiku cannot travel to America and that OBJ will never forgive him.

All that failed.

Now it's no longer that Buhari has failed but that because the vice is not Yoruba therefore we must continue with bad leadership.

The last person to have a sweeping vote in western Nigeria was MKO. Since 1999 till date elections in South West has always been nearly 50-50.

Yorubas must be careful not to reject Atiku. He will win. He is from the North and not Igbo.

A recent poll conducted by Northern newspaper shows Atiku has his men on ground.

Yorubas should not be drawn into divisive politics

kapelvej:
if Dele was a woman, he would have been a first class olosho

Not exactly first class.

Even small time yahoo boys would have had that ride.

tuniski:

He has won! The people that will vote anywhere are tired of this govt except buharideens. Nigerians will defeat Buharideens!

even if they are tired of this govt...Atiku not an Option ..a confirmed pen armed robber...never never never again.....i will rather vote for stone than cast my vote for Atiku....

rusher14:


Not exactly first class.

Even small time yahoo boys would have had that ride.

, you guys are savage on this platform

A weak Buhari is better than a Corrupt Atiku.

REDshouse:
even if they are tired of this govt...Atiku not an Option ..a confirmed pen armed robber...never never never again.....i will rather vote for stone than cast my vote for Atiku....

Atiku is the next President even if he is an armed robber you hear!

tuniski:

Atiku is the next President even if he is an armed robber you hear!

lol....Atiku is a Customer Dadaani to Buhari... He has never one against him and he will never win...get that to ur skull....never again will Athievesku and PDp handle Nigeria Economy

It's a pity that these people hope will be dashed come February 2019.

Interesting

REDshouse:
lol....Atiku is a Customer Dadaani to Buhari... He has never one against him and he will never win...get that to ur skull....never again will Athievesku and PDp handle Nigeria Economy

Like Buhari was customer Dada since 2003 to 2015 abi?
Don't be narrow Buhari is packing out of Aso rock next year!