Former governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has vowed that he will not step down for Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the battle for the Peoples Democratic Party’s ticket for the 2019 general elections.
Atiku had at a meeting with PDP leaders in Dutse, Jigawa State on Monday said he expected the former governor who he described as his junior brother to step down for his as his elder.
“Junior brother cannot contest against his senior brother, the junior brother instantly stepped down for his brother due to his loyalty,’’ Atiku said.
However, Atiku, in a statement, through his media aide, Adamu Usman said he would not step down for Atiku because though the former vice president age-wise is his senior but politically, Atiku is his junior and should be the one to step down for him.
“While it is true he (Mr Abubakar) is older than me age-wise, I’m senior to him politically because I was in the House of Representatives in 1979 when he was an employee of Nigeria Customs Services.
“And if age is the criterion for standing election then he should drop out for Buhari.” According to Mr Usman, Mr Lamido had been “patient, loyal, committed and consistent” in politics despite all the odds and his travails.
“Even if Lamido did not shows interest to contest, PDP should have called him to be the flag bearer and if there is anyone the other aspirants should step down for, it should be Sule Lamido because he has the goodwill, political experience and capacity to confront the ruling party, APC.
“Also if Lamido is to step down, why would he aspire in the first place? Sule Lamido is out to run for the president come 2019 God willing.”