The former vice-president told VOA Hausa when he featured on a magazine program there Tuesday that Nigerians will know when he eventually takes the bold move.

“For now I have not made up my mind,” Atiku said. “When I decide, I will let the world know.”

Atiku’s statement is capable of demoralising his supporters, some of whom have already commenced groundwork for his 2019 bid, said Azibola Omekwe, the national coordinator of The Atiku Rennaisance, a political group.

Mr. Azibola said the 2019 ambition of Mr. Atiku has gained considerable momentum in recent weeks, a ‘moving train’ he said would be difficult to reverse.

“Just recently, some people came out to say that they will sue the former vice-president if he fails to join the race,” Mr. Azibola said. “That’s how serious some of his supporters have now taken his ambition.”

Meanwhile, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, said the politician’s fans should not be demoralised by the comments.

“He spoke in the context of his ongoing consultations, but he’ll eventually make up his mind to run,” Mr. Ibe said. “Those who have started politicking on his behalf should continue.”

Azibola acknowledged that the final decision on Mr. Atiku’s political choice in 2019 would be the former vice-president’s to make.

“But I’m sure he will ultimately decide to run because he’s the best option to beat President Buhari,” said Mr. Azibola, a former state legislator in Bayelsa. “We expect him to do this within the first quarter of 2018.”

The last one month had seen Mr. Abubakar resign from the ruling All Progressives Congress to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, under which he served eight years as VP between 1999-2007.

After using his resignation letter to convey his misgivings about President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Atiku granted a media interview in which he accused the president of incompetence.

He also accused Mr. Buhari of stoking ethnic and tribal divisions in the country, saying he will handily ‘defeat’ the president in 2019.

Mr. Buhari has not openly exchanged words with Mr. Abubakar, but the presidency warned the former vice president to stop disparaging the president.

The reprimand followed allegations that Mr. Buhari was banned from travelling to the United States for 15 years as a consequence of his religious views.

Mr. Abubakar used the purported ban to ward off allegations that he is wanted in the U.S. for fraud.

Mr. Abubakar said he had applied for visa to the U.S. but was denied on administrative grounds.

He, however, failed to present evidence of his claim that Mr. Buhari was also banned from the U.S. despite being challenged by the State House to do so.

Mr. Ibe said Mr. Abubakar will continue sparring with the Buhari administration ahead of his formal announcement.

“What has been happening in recent weeks is sparring,” Mr. Ibe said. “We expect this to continue, but it’s not the same as a formal declaration of a presidential run.”

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The Board comprises of six (6) members, two (2) representatives of CBi, a representative of The Exchange, a representative of the media, a representative of rating agencies and a representative of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The Steering Board is the governing body of the CGRS, defining its scope, guiding its development and its ultimate authority. It is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and endorsing all acts performed by other bodies and sub-committees of the CGRS and approving the release of the results of the CGRS exercise.

At the inaugural meeting, the Steering Board began the review of the outcome of the roll out phase of the CGRS. The results of the roll out phase will be announced in January 2018 and a certification ceremony will be held for all successful companies and eligible directors in February 2018.

The certification ceremony will showcase the successful companies and their directors that have distinguished themselves as entities and individuals with high standards of corporate governance.

The companies and their directors will also be issued with certificates confirming their CGRS certifications.

According to Soji Apampa, Chief Executive Officer, CBi “with the conclusion of this first cycle of the process, deep lessons are emerging regarding decision making of boards and the impact of such decisions on firm performance. There are correlations between quality of governance and various indices that investors would consider important.

“We look forward to celebrating the companies that have distinguished themselves and the beginning of a new cycle of the CGRS certification which will be announced in due course so that listed companies that did not participate in the current cycle as well as companies that did not complete the process would have the opportunity take part and be CGRS certified.”

Also commenting, Tinuade Awe, General Counsel and Head of Regulation, NSE said “we are excited to have gotten to this final stage of the first CGRS roll out process for all companies listed on the Main and Premium Boards of the NSE.

“The CGRS certification is a thing of immense pride for the successful companies and directors involved, especially given the stringent requirements of the certification process. The NSE remains resolute in its long term commitment to promoting corporate governance, including through the collaboration with CBi on the CGRS.”

Meanwhile, the CBi and NSE promised to continue to keep the public apprised of developments at the Steering Board.

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