Atiku flanked by his campaign DG, Gbenga Daniel and others

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Nigeria’s former Vice President, Mr. Abubakar Atiku, has said he is not desperate to be President of the country.

He made the assertion while fielding questions from journalists shortly after his meeting with the Oba of Benin, where he sought royal blessing of the monarch for his presidential aspiration.

Atiku, who is seeking to contest for Nigeria’s top job on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said his decision to contest for presidency was borne out of his dire desire to improve the lots of Nigerians, adding that he would still remain in the PDP even if he failed to get the sole ticket of the party in 2019.

He said if he were desperate to be the nation’s president, he would have long achieved it and would have not step down for Abiola.

“There is nothing wrong in entering the race. I can run as many times as possible. I am fit, qualified. I still have ideas that I believe are going to put this country at the right part.

“So, what is wrong in running? I am not desperate. If I were desperate, I would have taken the presidency in 2003. If I were desperate, I would not have stepped down for Abiola. I am not desperate,” Atiku said.

While receiving Atiku, Oba Ewuare II, tasked all political office seekers to make the security of lives and properties of Nigerians their priorities, noting that without security, nothing much can be done.

He expressed worry over the state of insecurity in the country, saying that something must be done to arrest what he called unprecedented state of insecurity.

“If there is no peace and security, there is nothing anyone can do. The high level of unprecedented insecurity is something to worry about.

“We don’t have to fragment the country. We must do our best to keep the country as one. We have all it takes to make Nigeria the best country,” the Monarch said.

Oba Ewuare II also expressed worries over the development in the legislative houses at national and state levels.

“We are not too happy to see what is happening in the Senate, the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly.

“Those in leadership must find a way to ensure that those who elected them there are taken care of,” the Oba said.