•Adewale Dismisses Critics, Claims Former VP Can Revive Nation’s Economy
By OBSERVERS TIMES
A prominent figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Adewale, has asserted that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is the “Messiah” Nigeria requires at this critical juncture, capable of revitalizing the nation’s struggling economy.
Adewale, a former Lagos State Chairman of the PDP, conveyed his unwavering support for Abubakar in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, dismissing calls for the former Vice-President to abandon his political ambitions or leave the PDP.
His remarks come amidst a backdrop of internal dissent within the PDP, with figures like former Deputy National Chairman, Olabode George, and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, publicly advising Abubakar against contesting the 2027 presidential election on the PDP platform. George had even called for Abubakar’s immediate resignation from the party, alleging anti-party activities, while Fayose vowed to actively campaign against his potential candidacy.
However, Adewale, widely known as Aeroland, countered these criticisms, stating, “He (Abubakar) has been tested and tried as part of the few politicians with contentment, and he has never given up.” He emphasized Abubakar’s extensive experience in Nigerian politics and his deep understanding of the nation’s challenges, contrasting him with politicians driven by personal enrichment. “He has been in power, he understands Nigerian politics.
He knows our challenges compared to other politicians that just want to grab power to get wealth,” Adewale stated.
He further criticized the internal opposition Abubakar faces within the PDP, describing it as “unfortunate.” “It is unfortunate that the unrelenting opposition that Atiku has is still in the PDP, his party, not even outside PDP,” Adewale lamented. He accused those within the party who oppose Abubakar’s planned coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of working against the PDP’s interests. “Anyone within PDP saying Atiku should not contest in 2027 is working for the opposition and not for the party or the country,” he asserted. “They are working for personal pocket, therefore, should not be listening to. We must discard their opinions.
All dissenting voices in our party are working for their stomach, not for Nigeria.”
Adewale also dismissed the notion that any single opposition party, including Peter Obi’s Labour Party, could defeat the APC independently. He called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s electoral system to strengthen democracy, alleging that he himself had been repeatedly denied electoral victories in Lagos State due to systemic flaws. “It is not about how smart we are, but about the system. It is not about how popular you are, it is about the system. We must join hands to correct this before 2027 polls,” he insisted.
He concluded by emphasizing the public’s growing dissatisfaction with the current state of governance, stating, “Nigerians are tired of poor governance, calling for a change and breath of fresh air.”
