Atiku can't "work with a man like Obasanjo", says spokesperson
Atiku is not considering any form of alliance with the movement recently launched with Obasanjo's backing.
Atiku is expected to be Buhari's biggest challenger in the 2019 presidential election (The Nation)Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has ruled out any possibility of working with the Coalition for Nigeria that was recently launched by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
This was disclosed by Atiku's spokesperson, Paul Ibe, when he was questioned by the Daily Post on the possibility of the former Vice President reuniting with Obasanjo under whom he served as deputy between 1999 and 2007 under the umbrella of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Ibe said Atiku is not considering any form of alliance with the movement as it is fueled by a man who no longer associates with the PDP and has dismissed it.
He said, "Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is focusing on the hope of his new political party. His Excellency is in the Peoples Democratic Party which is in expansion.
"The party is reaching out to its members who defected to the APC prior to the 2015 election and also reaching out to other political parties.
"Obasanjo's Movement is an anachronism. No one knows the direction of the Coalition and you don't expect his Excellency to be part of such movement.
"You can't work with a man like Obasanjo who has dismissed your political party. He has even torn his membership card and declared his retirement from partisan politics. So what is his movement all about?
"Atiku cannot belong to Obasanjo’s sponsored Movement."
What is Obasanjo's Coalition for Nigeria?
In a statement issued by Obasanjo on January 23, 2018, titled, "The Way Out: A Clarion Call for Coalition for Nigeria Movement", he pointed out major failings of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration and urged him to not consider reelection in 2019.
He also expressed his lost hope in the ability of the ruling APC and opposition PDP in providing Nigeria with the initiative it needs to progress.
The former president's solution to being free of the dominance of both parties was what he called the Coalition for Nigeria movement.
According to him, the coalition will be a movement of all well-meaning Nigerians that will engage in democratic practices that will drive Nigeria forward and be a source of hope for all Nigerians for speedy, quality and equal development, security, unity, prosperity and progress.
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Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo signs membership registration form to join the Coalition for Nigeria movement
(Daily Post)
He said, "Coalition for Nigeria must be a Movement to break new ground in building a united country, a socially cohesive and moderately prosperous society with equity, equality of opportunity, justice and a dynamic and progressive economy that is self-reliant and takes active part in global division of labour and international decision-making.
"The Movement must work out the path of development and the trajectory of development in speed, quality and equality in the short, medium, and long-term for Nigeria on the basis of sustainability, stability, predictability, credibility, security, cooperation and prosperity with diminishing inequality.
"What is called for is love, commitment and interest in our country, not in self, friends and kinship alone but particularly love, compassion and interest in the poor, underprivileged and downtrodden.
"It is our human duty and responsibility so to do. Failure to do this will amount to a sin against God and a crime against humanity."
Despite his backing for the group, the former president has also made it known that he'll cease to be a part of the movement the minute it becomes a political platform that sponsors candidates for elections.
On Thursday, February 1, Obasanjo filled a membership registration form at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Abeokuta, Ogun State to officially signify his membership with the coalition.
He was accompanied by former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, who were both present at the official launching of the group in Abuja on Wednesday, January 31.
Atiku's defection from APC to PDP
Atiku resigned as a member of the All Progressives' COngress (APC) on November 24, 2017, after months of growing discontent.
In his signed resignation letter, the 71-year-old accused President Buhari of neglecting him and condemned the APC for "instituting a regime of a draconian clampdown on all forms of democracy".
In a live Facebook broadcast on December 3, the former Vice President officially declared his return to the PDP.
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Atiku Abubakar addressing leaders of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) at the party's national secretariat in Abuja
(Twitter/@atiku)
In an interview with Dele Momodu, the Publisher of The Boss magazine, Atiku noted that Buhari has wasted his massive goodwill, adding that he will defeat the president in 2019.
History of Atiku as presidential contestant
Atiku contested the 2007 presidential election as a candidate for Action Congress (AC), losing to the late former President Umaru Yar'Adua.
He returned to the PDP only to lose the party's primary election for the 2011 presidential election to the eventual winner, Goodluck Jonathan.
Due to an internal party crisis he defected to the APC in the run-up to the 2015 presidential election before losing the party's ticket to another eventual winner, President Buhari.