Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has come under fire from Nigerians for saying 90% of northerners are not on social media.
The former vice president of Nigeria made the statement in a pre-recorded interview on Arise TV aired on Friday, July 22.
Speaking on the chances of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, the PDP presidential candidate said the LP will not divide the votes meant for the PDP as being suggested in some quarters.
His words: “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.
“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.”
The comment of the PDP presidential candidate, particularly his claim that 90% of northerners are not on social media, has infuriated some Nigerians.
Writing on Twitter, Chude Columbus wrote:
“Northerners complain and fight stereotype on this app everyday only for Atiku, in an attempt to denigrate Labour Party and Obidients boldly told the world on national TV that 90% of northerners don’t have access to internet. This man wants people to remain poor for his political gains.”
Angel Jesse wrote: “If 90% of northerners are not on social media and Atiku is bragging about it, that is Atiku indirectly calling the north underdeveloped, And also saying all the northern presidents have failed the north!!!”
Steve Destiny wrote: “Atiku said 90% of northerners are not on social media. This means, even though north has occupied various political positions, they did little for their people.”
