2019 presidency: Ben Bruce replies Charlyboy, insists ‘Atiku is an option’

The Senator representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray-Bruce, has reacted to remark by maverick entertainer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charlyboy, that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar was not an option in 2019.

Charlyboy had insisted that Abubakar was not a viable alternative to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The co-convener of OurMumuDonDo advocacy group made the remark while sharing a video of Donald Duke, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, explaining why he can’t merge with the PDP.

Reacting to Duke’s video, Charlyboy in a tweet wrote: “Here’s one reason I tell you #AtikuNotAnOption. Do you agree with @Donald_Duke?”

However, Bruce said Abubakar was the only candidate who can dislodge Buhari in 2019.

In a Facebook, Bruce wrote: “You and I know that as handsome and eloquent as he is, Donald Duke has no chance.

“Not because he is not a good candidate (he is), but because of the realpolitik of Nigeria. What you are doing is strategically unwise. I mean no disrespect to either you nor Mr Duke, but if you truly want Buhari gone, Atiku is the ONLY choice.”