I remain a PDP member, I hold nothing Okowa’s defection – Atiku

Nigeria’s former vice president, and PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has said he is unperturbed by the defection of his former running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He reaffirmed he is not leaving the Peoples Democratic Party. 

Atiku, spoke through his media aide, Paul Ibe. He said it will be undemocratic to hold a grudge against anyone for deciding where to belong politically.

“Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, bears no grudges; he has said that, and he means it.

“As a democrat, he subscribes to the universality and constitutionality of the freedom of association, which is one of the pillars of democracy, without which democracy would be meaningless,” he said.

According to Ibe, former vice president Atiku Abubakar remains committed to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and does not have plans of joining another political party.

“We have addressed the issues about coalition, and remember that we had a statement to that effect; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is not leaving the PDP, and he has said that clearly.

“As for those talking about him leaving the PDP, we don’t know where they are getting that from,” he added.

Recall that Okowa during his defection to the APC stated he regretted accepting to join ticket with Atiku Abubakar as running mate in the 2023 presidential election. 

“Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power,” Okowa had said.

Senator Okowa had also argued that President Bola Tinubu should be allowed to complete eight years in office for stability of the country. 

“For the stability of this nation, I also do believe that, yes, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected president in 2023, and for the stability of Nigeria, it is best for us to have him complete his eight-year tenure, then the presidency can move back to the North,” he said.