Breaking: Atiku Speaks On 2027 Presidential Race, His Relationship With Wike, And Akpabio’s Leadership Style

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, recently appeared on the television program Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, where he discussed key political matters in Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During the interview, Atiku addressed why he did not choose the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as his running mate in the 2023 election. He also spoke about the leadership style of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and corruption within the National Assembly.

Atiku Recounts Assassination Attempt on His Life

When asked about an assassination attempt on his life, Atiku recounted that he had gone into exile before the attack and later returned to Nigeria. He recalled that in 1994, while attending the Constitutional Assembly, he survived an assassination attempt in Kaduna.

He narrated how the attack unfolded, stating that his personal security team and six policemen responded to the incident, resulting in a gunfight. Unfortunately, six policemen and two of his security personnel lost their lives in the crossfire. Atiku revealed that the attackers initially held his eldest son at gunpoint, forcing him to step out and confront them.

As he descended the staircase, the assailants fired at him but missed as he quickly dropped to the ground. He then lured them into his wife’s room instead of his own, where he had hidden his wife and daughter in a wardrobe.

Atiku later learned that the attack was allegedly a security operation, as revealed by the then Inspector General of Police, who was puzzled about why he had not been informed of such an operation.

Atiku on Why He Stepped Down for MKO Abiola

Atiku also clarified the circumstances surrounding his decision to step down for MKO Abiola during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential primaries in 1992. He explained that after the first round of voting, he contacted the late Shehu Yar’Adua, who was then in Kaduna, warning him that Babagana Kingibe was likely to win if he did not intervene.

Upon Yar’Adua’s arrival in Jos, a meeting was held at Ambassador Kwande’s house, where Yar’Adua instructed Atiku to step down for Abiola. Without hesitation, Atiku agreed. It was only later, on a flight with Abiola, that he learned about the full details of the agreement between Yar’Adua and Abiola.