The Media Aide to former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has declared that his principal was already wealthy before he got into government.
According to Ibe, Atiku is not only wealthy, but the source of his wealth is legitimate.
Naijaonpoint reports that the media aide made the declaration during an interview with Trust TV, in which he spoke about Atiku’s wealth, credibility, and qualifications for the 2027 presidency.
To buttress his point, Ibe claimed that Atiku single-handedly purchased the Wadata Plaza for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He declared that the former Vice President was already a billionaire before 1999.
“Atiku single-handedly bought the Wadata Plaza for the PDP. That was how wealthy he was before entering government. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy, and his money was legitimate,” he explained.
Zoning Is Irrelevant
Speaking ahead of the 2027 elections and the calls for the presidential seat to be zoned to a particular region, Ibe dismissed such thoughts, arguing that Nigerians are not concerned about the ethnicity of their next President but are more interested in the capability of the individual.
“The internal polls we have done show Nigerians don’t care where the next president comes from. They are more concerned with credible leadership. People are struggling to survive. They want someone with the right skills, not tribe or tongue,” he said.
He also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of spending on frivolities while the masses continue to suffer the brunt of ill-implemented government policies.
“Average Nigerians cannot be asked to tighten their belts while leaders live in affluence and steal the country blind. These policies are only working for the urban bandits, not the rest of Nigerians,” he added.
Further defending his position on zoning, Ibe said Atiku prefers everyone to get into the field and test their popularity with Nigerians.
He described Atiku as one of Nigeria’s most consistent politicians, pointing out that he has won most party primaries he has contested, except in 2014 when Muhammadu Buhari defeated him.
“As a democrat, Atiku’s policy is the more the merrier. He will never block anyone who feels they have something to offer. Let everyone go to the field and test their popularity,” he said.
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