2023: I’ll declare presidential ambition at appropriate time, says Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says he would announce his presidential bid in 2023 when the time comes. 

• He spoke during a meeting with Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on Tuesday.

Atiku told journalists after the meeting on Tuesday that he came to Niger to express his condolences to the state’s leadership and people for recent bandit assaults.

In the last few days, several presidential candidates have emerged from the Southern region, including All Progressives Congress National Leader Bola Tinubu; media personality Dele Momodu; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim; Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; ex-Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha; ex-Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; and former Governor of Abia State and Majority Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu; former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, among others.

“I only came on a courtesy visit to the governor and to commiserate with him and people of the state over the incessant banditry in Niger State,” Atiku said.

“I just discussed with the governor on the insecurity in the state and from what I heard, it is a very serious and pathetic situation and it is most unfortunate.”

When asked about his presidential aspiration, the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 presidential election said, “I have only come on a visit, I will let you know about my presidential ambition at the appropriate time.”

A number of northerners, including Atiku, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have been reported to harbor presidential ambitions. 

However, while Saraki and Tambuwal have declared their intentions to run, Kwankwaso and Atiku have yet to do so. 

Though party primaries to determine candidates are set to take place later this year, permutations, political wrangling, and serial defections continue as the campaign to follow Buhari heats up, and Nigerians wait with bated breath to see who will take over the throne in Aso Rock in 2023.