Atiku said this while reacting to a statement in the President Buhari’s New Year speech.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), Atiku Abubakar has called on President Buhari to emulate former
President Goodluck Jonathan.
Jonathan conceded defeat when Buhari defeated him at the polls during the 2015 presidential election.
According to Daily Post, Atiku said this while reacting to a statement in the President’s New Year speech.
Buhari, in his message, said that the upcoming election is not a do or die affair.
In his response, Atiku said “It
is not enough to preach peace when he (Buhari) cannot publicly condemn
the violent behaviour of his supporters who harass, molest and publicly
humiliate his opponents and their supporters.
“It is not enough for the President to
condemn do-or-die politics if he cannot control the activities of
overzealous aides, including the country’s security chiefs, especially
the Inspector General of Police whose activities lately gives him away
as a partisan player in negation of his constitutional role.
“Go
beyond lip service and urge security chiefs to be politically neutral
during the election. Their loyalty to the constitution doesn’t include
putting themselves at the service of the ruling party at the expense of
free and fair elections.
“Jonathan lived by his noble words and
statesmanship when he conceded defeat without hesitation, thereby
contributing to peaceful conduct of election.”
Meanwhile, the PDP has described President Buhari’s New Year speech as empty.