Stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from across the country have waded into the ongoing media war between their party and the PDP describing efforts by the Atiku camp to project him beyond his capacity as futile. According to a former Minister of Communication and Director-General of Asiwaju Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organisation, Adebayo Shittu , Atiku is only trying to use the Tinubu name to gain media attention and online traction.
He stated, “When I heard Atiku challenging Tinubu to a one-hour public debate, I laughed. One thing he seems to be forgetting is that the individual capacity during a debate differs. He may probably have assumed that Asiwaju can’t beat him in an open contest because he is a taciturn fellow.
“Honestly, I think Atiku is frustrated. He knows this is his last card after several attempts to become the president. As I earlier mentioned, the people in his constituency have been lamenting that he has not contributed anything to the development of their community. Even the road to his hometown is not in the best shape,” he said.
Another support group, Tinubu Campaign Organisation, says the APC standard-bearer only would accept to engage his counterpart when the electoral campaign kicks off in September. The clarification was made on Sunday by TCO Director of Media and Communication, Bayo Onanuga. Onanuga urged the opposition candidate to read up the Electoral Act before throwing such a challenge.
Another party chieftain and former Lagos APC Chairman, Henry Ajomale, also expressed optimism that Atiku could not outwit his party standard-bearer in debate or any given contest because of his experience.
Ajomale said, “That can’t happen. There is no way an Atiku can ever beat Tinubu in any contest. He will need more than just intelligence and wits to match Asiwaju’s brain. Somebody who has been repeatedly coming for every election? Maybe when he is defeated again, he will eventually quit.
“I pity people who take Atiku seriously. How many times has been running for this presidency? He has been contesting for president since 1993 during the MKO Abiola’s period. Despite being the governor of Adamawa and vice president of the country, what economic changes have he brought to the country?”
The APC Zonal Publicity Secretary for North West, Musa Mailafiya Mada, wondered what could have prompted the former vice president to throw out such a challenge in the first place.
Mada stated that the former governor of Adamawa would be in for a shocker if he attempts to engage the former governor of Lagos in any intellectual debate.