2019 election: I can face any force, APC ruining Nigeria – Atiku

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday stated that he can
face "anybody" in Nigeria.


He also lamented the state of the economy, saying the All Progressives
Congress (APC) government was running the country badly.

The Waziri Adamawa said this after a meeting with Bayelsa State
Governor, Seriake Dickson.


He was accompanied by a former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga
Daniel, former Minister of Nigeria Delta Affairs, Godspower Orubebe
among others.

After a close-door meeting with Dickson, Atiku visited the PDP
secretariat where he addressed a crowd of party supporters.

He said: "The last time I came here was several years ago. The changes
l have seen in the state are monumental.


"This is all because of you not because of one individual. You have
been supporting this party since 1999 and what you are seeing today is
as a result of your support and hard work.

"Once you don't change parties, you will see what is called good
governance. Once you change from one party to another, this one will
come, he will do this project and stop and another one will come and
start another project and stop.

"We have to work together to see the changes in Nigeria like you have
been experiencing in Bayelsa. We must return PDP to power at the
federal level. I am ready. I was in the vanguard of fighting the
military to return this country to democracy.

"Some of us lost their lives but we succeeded. When we came back to
democracy, we stood up to anti-democratic forces and you know l can
stand up to anybody and any force in this country.

"This country requires a change. Before 2015, you know how the economy
was and today you know how the economy is. We have the largest
unemployment in the history of this country since the APC came to
office.

"Because APC were never there before they don't know how to create
jobs, they don't understand the economy, they don't know how to govern
and they never understood the complexities of this country.

"I have been following with keen interest your (Dickson's) position on
restructuring. If you know, I have been advocate of restructuring
since 2004. Governor Dickson, I would like to invite you as you join
me as we work together towards 2019 so that we can do it together.

"The governor and I are on the same page as far as the issue of
restructuring is concerned. We have been consistent about it. For us
to get the unity, progress and development we are looking for, we
cannot escape from restructuring", Atiku added.