According to the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, former president Olusegun Obasanjo's "subjective support" for Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), is his desire.
The organization's spokesman, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, claimed in a statement released in Abuja that Obasanjo's request did not reflect the opinion or attitude of the great majority of Nigerians.
He maintained that the previous president had a right to his own view, but that it remained just that, whatever how remarkable it appeared to be.
He said that the desire would not deter Nigerians from backing Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP's presidential candidate, who he claimed was better qualified to save and rebuild the country.
Ologbondiyan asserts that in light of Nigeria's significant challenges, it is odd that Obasanjo isn't endorsing a candidate with background in national-level government.
Ologbondiyan stated that Obasanjo's opinion would not have an effect on Nigerians this time around since he had previously backed a candidate in a prior election.
He proceeded by noting that given Nigeria's current situation, it was improbable that Nigerians, particularly the nation's youth, would accept Obasanjo's viewpoint as the solution to the nation's numerous issues.
“Our campaign holds that none of the Presidential candidates has the experience, capacity, tenacity of purpose, presence of mind and readiness to serve like Abubakar.
“Abubakar remains the most widely accepted candidate, whose choice is not predicated by sectional, tribal, ethnic or religious sentiments or the endorsement of any individual, high or low.”
This, he said, was based on the previous president’s “very indices” of “record of ability and performance,” “authentic vision,” “honesty,” and “character,” and “physical and mental capacity.”
According to Ologbondiyan, it is illuminating that all of Obasanjo’s boasts about the success of his administration are a reflection of Abubakar’s work as Vice President and Chairman of the National Economic Council.
He said it was at this time that the U.S. had its exceptional economic expansion, making it one of the world’s fastest-expanding economies.
“It, therefore, amounts to a disservice for the former president to make a subjective suggestion.
“This is even when it is clear that if a hand like Abubakar with their shared experience is brought to the forefront of governance, our nation will be rescued from this current sullen state,” the spokesman said.
According to Ologbobdiyan, the PDP campaign team wants Nigerians to pay attention to the facts and not “subjective opinions.”
He also urged voters to keep their sights on the prize of saving Nigeria on February 25 by choosing Abubakar as the country’s next president.