Atiku said these during an interview with Arise Television which aired on Friday.

“Of course, we are still friends but that doesn’t mean we will not have political differences. We have been having political differences since we became friends,” he stated.

When asked if he was determined to defeat Tinubu despite their relationship, the former Vice-President said, “Of course.”

He, however, disagreed with Tinubu for picking a Muslim as his running mate, adding that this would be a threat to Nigeria’s unity.

“I don’t believe in that. I don’t believe it is right for a country like Nigeria that is multi-ethnic, multi-religious and there should be balancing of interest,” Atiku stated.

He recalled that while he was running for President in 2007, Tinubu wanted to be his running mate but he dismissed the idea because they were both Muslims.

The former vice-president claimed that this made Tinubu to abandon him for the candidate of the PDP, Umaru Yar’Adua, who won the election.

“Remember I came out of the PDP on the issue of zoning and together with him we formed ACN and I was given a ticket in Lagos and he insisted on being my running mate and I said no, I am not going to have a Muslim-Muslim ticket. So he switched his support to the late Umaru Yar’adua. That was the departing point,” Atiku stated.

He also dismissed the argument that Tinubu’s choice of Kashim Shettima – who is also from the North-East like Atiku – could give him (Tinubu) an advantage.

Atiku noted that of the six states in the North-East, only Borno and Yobe are dominated by the Kanuri tribe of which Shettima is a part of.

“Certainly my prospects are much higher. If you know thev composition of the North-East, you have Borno and Yobe. These are essentially two Kanuri states and then you have the other states which are essentially Hausa/Fulani. So, even if people are going to vote on that basis, I think I have a more favourable position from the North-East,” he stated.

Dmiller123:
A leader who give advise, became senseless. Tinubu as a party leader give him much dignity and respect, but now as a candidate give him hecter/skecter failure.
senseless human being

Mind the way you address an elder in a faceless forum. It's not ok to call someone who is old enough to father you a senseless human being. Stop insulting elders.

You may not like or support his ambition, no big deal, give your advice or relate what you see in politics without insulting him or other elders.

It has always been about Tinubu, Tinubu, and Tinubu all along and not the general interest of Nigeria. But in 2023 Nigerians will send him to his well deserved retirement. Nigeria is not Lagos.

Nobody in Nigeria that doesn't know that BAT is a desperate Man.