By Adeleye Kunle
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President of Nigeria, has urged all PDP stakeholders and supporters to refrain from making statements that could jeopardize the party’s ongoing efforts to strengthen it and bring all of its leaders together.
The former Vice President made the call in an interview with Track News on Thursday, which was signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe.
According to the statement, “it has become imperative to appeal to all party members, leaders, and anyone related to, connected with, or associated with the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to refrain from making comments that may harm the PDP’s image as a united political party.”
“This appeal is necessary to draw the attention of party leaders and members to the ruling All Progressives Congress’ diversionary antics, which aim to hoodwink the Nigerian public into overlooking the ruling party’s monumental failures by creating a false impression of division within the PDP.”
Atiku stated that Nigerians are looking to the PDP to lead the charge in deposing the ruling party, and that this expectation from the people is what is making the APC nervous about their impending defeat in next year’s general election.
He accused the ruling APC of attempting to divide the PDP by manipulating the political process.
“Because they know they have nothing to campaign on based on their records of performance in office, the APC has chosen to play the role of the devil’s advocate, regaling in celebration of their fictitious invincibility on a false claim that the PDP is divided.”
“It is for this reason that I appeal to every true PDP member and anyone who sincerely wishes the success of the PDP presidential candidate not to fall for the APC’s antics in making statements that could lend credence to the false claim of divisions in the PDP,” he said.
Atiku stated that all party leaders, including Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and all PDP governors, are working together to ensure the PDP’s victory in next year’s general election.
“What is at stake in the next year’s election is Nigeria’s future, and all leaders and members of the PDP are on the same page in the mission to rescue Nigeria from the APC’s stranglehold,” the former vice president said.
Track News previously reported that associates close to the PDP presidential candidate were dissatisfied with how former governors of Jigawa, Sule Lamido, and Niger, Babangida Aliyu, criticized Wike.
They had urged Atiku Abubakar to summon the former governors as reconciliation efforts continued.
Lamido and Aliyu have been relentless in their criticism of Rivers State Governor over his feud with the former vice president.
Lamido said on Track News on Tuesday, “We should forget about Wike.”
“Wike is a unique individual.” I don’t believe he has control and monopoly over the people of Rivers simply because he is the governor there.”
This article first appeared on Track News.
