“His ADC Is Largely Unknown in His State” — Presidency Mocks Atiku Over Fintiri’s Defection
The Presidency has mocked former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, suggesting he consider stepping back from partisan politics and relocate to his “second home in Dubai,” United Arab Emirates.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made the comment on his X handle on Friday.
He noted that the defection of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri demonstrated that Atiku has lost popularity in his home state.
Onanuga said Fintiri had effectively shifted Atiku’s entire political stronghold to President Bola Tinubu’s party.
Describing the move as a significant setback for Atiku’s presidential ambition, Onanuga added that “a candidate that is not strong at home cannot sell his candidacy to outsiders.”
He said, “Big Blow for Atiku in Adamawa: Fintiri joins APC, making Tinubu’s party a juggernaut in the state. All members of his cabinet, lawmakers and other PDP officials in the state moved with him to the APC, thus fortifying the APC’s advantage and presence in the state.”
The Presidency further explained the implications for Atiku, stating, “With the presidential election less than a year away, Fintiri’s defection is surely a big blow to veteran presidential runner Atiku Abubakar.
“His ADC is largely unknown in the state. He certainly needs to reassess his ambition, as his governor has turned the APC into an Adamawa juggernaut.
“If a politician is not so popular at home, he has no business selling his candidacy to outsiders. The time is nigh for Atiku to consider retiring from politics and going to his second home in Dubai.”
