I Can Swear Atiku Won 2019 Election – Kwankwaso Ally Galadima
Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar won the 2019 presidential election, despite the official result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) giving victory to then-incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
Galadima made the claim on Thursday while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The politician also discussed the 2027 presidential election and the chances of the NDC ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Speaking about the 2019 election, Galadima said he remained convinced that Atiku had won the contest but that the result was allegedly taken away from him.
“Atiku won the election in 2019, not Buhari. But it was taken away from him — I can bet my life; I can swear by the Holy Quran,” he said.
According to the official results published by INEC, Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner of the February 23, 2019 presidential election with 15,191,847 votes, while Atiku, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), received 11,262,978 votes. INEC recorded Buhari as elected in its official declaration.
On the 2027 election, Galadima said he remained confident in the NDC presidential ticket, arguing that Obi and Kwankwaso would win if the 2027 election is conducted freely, fairly and credibly.
“Peter Obi and Kwankwaso will win this election if it is free, fair, and credible unless there is someone with a machinery willing to take it away from them,” he said.
He also dismissed suggestions that the relationship between Obi and Kwankwaso could become a source of division within the opposition party.
“They are on the same page, they are close to each other, every minute, every hour, everyday and every hour of the calendar,” Galadima said.
The former political associate of Kwankwaso described the combination of the former Anambra and Kano governors as a “healing ticket”, saying both politicians brought different political experiences and support bases to the alliance.
“Obi and Kwankwaso complement each other in every move. We are running a single ticket; that is why we call this ticket a healing ticket,” he said.
Galadima also spoke about the uncertainty surrounding the 2027 election, saying only God and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu know what the outcome will be.
“Only God and Tinubu knows what will happen in this election,” he said.
He further alleged that opposition politicians were facing coordinated attacks but did not provide details of the alleged coordination during the interview.
The discussion also touched on the controversy surrounding petrol subsidy and the different positions being advanced by opposition politicians.
Galadima questioned politicians who have promised to restore fuel subsidy, saying Nigerians should examine their previous positions before accepting such promises.
“If someone tells you I will restore subsidy, will you just believe him without looking at his background?” he asked.
He also criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as continued spending associated with fuel support and challenged the government to explain the term “Energy Security Expenses.”
“Obi and Kwakwanso are populist politicians who are for the people; Tinubu put us in this trouble. Do you know that, as at now even the president pays subsidies called Energy security expenses, you should call him to explain what it means….all these are fraud,” Galadima said.
