All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Niger, Dr Mohammed Santuraki has called on the national executive of the party and other stakeholders not to underrate the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
In an interactive session with journalists in Suleja on Sunday, the chieftain said it would be disastrous to wave aside the former vice president as a feather weight, adding that Atiku is a formidable opponent that must be taken seriously.
“Whether we would like to admit or not, the presidential candidate that the main opposition party, the PDP, settled for is a formidable opponent, even if not a credible one.
“Within a week of emerging as the presidential flag bearer, he appointed his campaign team and named his running mate. This, to me, indicates a much needed sense of urgency. We, in APC must respond in like manner. The clock is ticking. We must push the button,” he said.
He said the party must evolve a strategic road map and plans of action aimed at defeating not just Atiku but PDP at all level of elections come 2019.
Santuraki said that the various disputes that came up in the course of the party’s national and states assemblies must be quickly resolved ahead of the general elections.
He expressed satisfaction with the measures already taken towards resolving the posts primaries so far.
