The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have both dismissed the political impact of Atiku Abubakar’s departure from the PDP and his plan to contest the 2027 presidency on the ADC platform.
Oyo State Governor and member of the PDP Governors Forum, Seyi Makinde, while reacting said the departure of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would not pose any setback for the PDP.
The governor stated this in Akure on Wednesday during an interview with journalists after delivering the keynote address at a colloquium held to commemorate the 10th coronation anniversary of Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure.
“I don’t think that will make any dent on PDP as a party. PDP is an institution and you have freedom of entrance and exit,” he said.
Also reacting, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described Atiku as “Nigeria’s incomparable political wanderer,” saying his repeated defections show he is only driven by personal ambition.
“Indisputably, the weakest link in Nigeria’s partisan democracy, Atiku is driven only by his selfish and obsessive presidential ambition, never willing to put in the work to build his party or remain to solve its internal crises, but claims a birthright entitlement to presidential ticket of his party to the exclusion of all others, congratulations, Nigeria’s incomparable political wanderer.”
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo in a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, described Atiku’s defection as “clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself.”
Keyamo, a member of the ruling APC, added, “Whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political parties at any time you may wish, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of mourning is, with respect, self-serving.”
