Former lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye has revealed that he opted to support the presidential bid of Atiku Abubakar because of his popularity in the country.
Melaye, who represented Kogi West Senatorial district in the eight assembly said though he has no problem with former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, he believes Atiku is the best candidate to emerge as President in 2023.
Atiku and Saraki, among others wrestled for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the recently concluded primary election which held at the Moshood Abiola stadium, Abuja last Saturday.
During the election, Melaye backed Atiku rather than Saraki, whom he had always been loyal to since their time together at the Senate. It would be recalled that both Melaye and Saraki dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP in the build-up to the 2019 elections.
Many political analysts have expressed their shock on how Melaye ignored the presidential bid of Saraki, who he had cordial relationship with to support Atiku, who later clinched the PDP’s presidential ticket.
Speaking on the matter, Melaye, while featuring on a TVC programme said he supported Atiku because he had to support “the known to the unknown.”
According to him, Atiku is a unifier and the only one that cannot be seen as a Muslim, or Christian.
He said, “I did not switch support from Saraki to Atiku. I was 100 per cent with Saraki when I was with him. I have no problem with Saraki, I still saw him this morning and we both laughed together.
“I chose Atiku this time because I have to stay with the known to the unknown. At this time, we need a unifier, who can unite Nigeria. One who cannot be seen as a Muslim, or Christian. Atiku is a popular person whose name is known every in Nigeria. So I moved from unknown to known. So, I did not switch support but support the man who can make Nigeria great.
He equally dismissed the reports that Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state betrayed his colleague and fellow aspirant, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state by withdrawing from the presidential contest and directed his delegates to vote for Atiku Abubakar.
According to him, Tambuwal did not betray Wike, he only saw the necessity to join forces with Atiku.
“Governor Tambuwal saw the necessity to elect a candidate that can unite Nigeria because our dear nation needs a father figure who can unite everyone. Someone who will be able to unite Nigeria and that person is Atiku Abubakar.
“Alhaji Atiku is sound and healthy, politically sagacious and intellectually sound. Atiku will not fail, he will win by a landslide. Whatever APC is going to do in terms of manipulation, Atiku is the next president of Nigeria. Our convention has shown that we are more united than ever. We are on big family,” he added.
