Why I cannot join PDP – Atiku’s political friend reveals he will remain in APC

James Barka, an ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has declared that he would remain in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) even though his close friend is in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and even seeking to contest in 2019.

Barka said this in reaction to reports that he had left the APC.

TRACK NEWS quoted Barka as confirming that the Adamawa state chapter of the PDP actually paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Yola.

He said at the meeting, they pleaded with him to return to the PDP. He, however, said he did not promise to join the party.

In a statement on Friday, August 17, in Abuja, Barka said he had no plans to join the PDP which he left in 2014 while he was Nigeria’s ambassador to Malaysia.

“Of a truth, some members of PDP led by the chairman paid me a courtesy call to seek my return to my former party.

“I told them I’m a bonafide member of APC, I am not contemplating leaving the APC. However, I would consult, and there is no any reason to join my former party.

“I said I would get back to them when I’m through with my consultation. To me, it was just a simply political statement.

“Now that the press has reported, I would make a statement categorically that I’m a member of APC and all my followers should remain as such,” Barka said.

TRACK NEWS earlier reported that Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state met behind closed doors in Abuja on Sunday night, August 12.

It was gathered that both men met at the Asokoro Abuja residence of the former vice president in what sources close to Atiku said was a courtesy visit.