In a bid to play down the chances of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential election, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that 90% of northerners are not on social media.
The PDP Presidential flagbearer noted that the LP have its major support base on social media and that would not win elections.
The former vice president claimed that 90% of northerners are not active on social media to follow the widespread online acceptance of Peter Obi.
He stated this while speaking in an interview with Arise TV which was aired on Friday morning.
Playing down Peter Obi’s presidential chances, Atiku said, ““I really don’t expect the Labour Party to take as many votes from the PDP as people are suggesting,” he said.
“We could have seen it in the last election in Osun state. What is the performance of the Labour Party?
“This is a party that doesn’t have a governor, doesn’t have members of the national assembly, doesn’t have state assembly members, and politics in this country depends on the structures you have at the various levels — at the local government level, at the state level, and at the national level.”
“So, it is very difficult to expect a miracle to happen, simply because Peter Obi is in the Labour Party. After all, they were saying through social media, they had more than one million votes in Osun state,” he said.
“But how many votes turned for the Labour Party? And then again, mark you, you’re talking about social media. In the north, 90 percent of our people are not tuned to social media.”
Atiku’s claim that 90% northerners are not on social media has since generated reactions on social media.
See some comments below:
'90% of Northerners are not on social media' is not something an elder statesman, a former vice president from the North, should ever say on TV.
That statistics could be true but it should never be a bragging right in 2022. It shows how underdeveloped the North is. Sad.
— Arinze Odira (@CaptainArinze) July 22, 2022
Atiku said that over 90% of northerners don't use social media. That is a misguided statement from him because it begs the question of, if northern leaders are intentional about keep their masses in poverty and ensuring that they are poorly educated.
— Ofuji Peter Obi (@MistaChika) July 22, 2022
A northern statesman, former VP, & a presidential aspirant going on TV to say that “90% of northerners are not on social media” in this technology age is only highlighting the state of underdevelopment in the north. It’s not something you proudly say on TV. But they love it
— Sarki. (@Waspapping_) July 22, 2022
“90% of Northerners are not on social media,” @atiku said on @ARISEtv. Dear northerners, Atiku just said you're technologically backwards that what he meant.
— Peter Obi Grassroots Mobilization. (@PO_GrassRoots) July 22, 2022
Atiku abubakar saying 90% of northerners are not on social media is a lie, he insults us in an attempt to shade peter obi and his supporters. The truth is alot of northerners are on social media, most of our people are in Facebook and Instagram.
— Al’ameen 💫 (@A__yabo) July 22, 2022
Atiku is proud that northern leaders have kept the majority of northerners off internet access.
This is wickedness. Boasting that 90% of northerners do not have internet access while he flexes in Dubai shows wickedness and bad leadership.
— DISTINGUISHED Everest (@novieverest) July 22, 2022
Atiku Abubakar boldly saying that 90% of Northerners are not on social media goes to prove that the Northern Elites DELIBERATELY keep their people impoverished so they can use them anytime they want to win elections. Very sad ! Smh
Rufai MC Oluomo PSquare https://t.co/MamdUee6tu
— promyxx (@promyxx1) July 22, 2022
Atiku said 90% of Northerners are not on social media. They pride with illiteracy and lack of internet exposure of people in the north bcos ofcourse, they use them during elections.
— Akalazu Clinton (@ClintKalaz) July 22, 2022
I actually cringed when H. E. Atiku Abubakar said "90% of Northerners are not on social media"
Is this actually something to applaud the Northern political leaders?— Chisom Eke (@Somaga_eke) July 22, 2022
That saying that 90% of Northerners are not on social media is really poor coming from a Presidential aspirant.
It shows underdevelopment of the North.
Near the jet age and you're bragging about your people not being digital
— Olorogun (@DavidMOlorogun) July 22, 2022
“90% of Northerners are not on social media,” is not something an elder statesman & a former VP, should say on Arise TV, a National Television. The data is debatable, but it should never be a bragging right in 2022. If anything, Atiku portrayed the North as underdeveloped.
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) July 22, 2022
Atiku Abubakar boasting on National TV that 90% of Northerners are not on social media is an insult. This agendum by political elites must be abated. We know why Buhari failed to uphold GEJ's motive on almajiri schools. They enjoy the situation in the north & brag about it. Sad
— Ekene A. (Obi's Right Hand) (@adigomKelson) July 22, 2022
2022, 90% of Northerners don't have access to Internet..
The guts to brag about it in a recorded interview says a lot.
Even Mgbafor, Nne Charlie had access to Internet back in the days..— IFEANYịCHUKWU!! (@OgbajiIfeanyi) July 22, 2022
What Atiku said:
“90% of Northerners are not on social media,” @atiku said on @ARISEtv.What I heard:
We have worked hard to make 90% northerners so technologically backwards that they cannot afford to be on Social Media.North! Loose yourself from this bondage! Vote PO!
— Ralph Iyire. 🇳🇬🇪🇸🇬🇧 (@PoloM77) July 22, 2022
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