The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Tanko Yunusa, has stated that the group’s outrage over the continued dollarisation of primaries and inducement of delegates was not directed at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Tanko had earlier stated that his principal, Peter Obi, would never be caught in the murky politics of vote-buying or dollarised delegate inducement that dominate Nigeria’s primaries
Speaking to Punch, Tanko explained that his submission is not a direct attack on Atiku over his BBC Hausa interview.
He noted that Obi and Atiku have an excellent working relationship.
He said, “We are being misrepresented on this issue. Our position was not a response or attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his BBC Hausa interview.
“What I said was that in our democracy today, primaries are heavily monetised. It is a general statement. Of course, Atiku and Obi have an excellent working relationship. In fact, most times, when he discusses with Obi, he will talk about working today.
“Mr Peter Obi wouldn’t be part of the old order where primaries are heavily monetised.
“This is something he always campaigns against. Primaries are based on discussion of objectivity and issue-based politics that will send and change the narrative of our politics from what we have to that of good governance that will involve health, education, security and pulling people out of poverty.
“Those are the basic issues that should be debated at every primary. That is how it is done in the developed world, and it is what Obi continues to preach. We have very deep respect for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.”
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