PDP Crisis: Atiku moves to pacify aggrieved party stalwarts
Faced with growing resentment among party faithful, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he is responding to concerns and criticisms in order to unify the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Party stalwarts, including Benue Governor Samuel Ortom and former Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose have in the last 24 hours openly registered their reservation against Mr Abubakar’s run for the 2023 presidency.
While Mr Ortom aired his disavowal of the manner Mr Abubakar picked his running mate, Mr Fayose insists it’s the turn of the South to produce president having endured President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year reign
Messrs Buhari and Abubakar are both of the northern Fulani stock. Nigeria’s presidency has rotated between the North and South since the advent of the Fourth Republic.
But reacting, Mr Abubakar said “Every Governor, Legislator, and other elected officials produced by our party, and party members and loyalists, are much loved and respected by me. When they speak, I listen. I do not only listen. Appropriate actions have been taken, are being taken, and will continue to be advanced. -AA.”
Much of the latest discontent against Mr Abubakar stems from how he sidestepped Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, the runner up in the party’s presidential primary election which he won, to tap Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his vice presidential candidate.
Mr Ortom, an ally of Mr Wike, says Mr Abubakar insulted the Rivers governor by disregarding the recommendation of a committee which had put him forward for the position.
Mr Atiku, who spoke through his official Facebook page, on Thursday, said he was not taking any member of the party for granted as the unity of the party is paramount to him.
“The Peoples Democratic Party will remain united. Focus on our actions. We are taking action to address the feelings of all party members,” he assured. “The unity in our community is my priority. Our resolve to unify Nigeria starts in our party and moves to the community, then on to society.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Africa
Xenophobia: Uganda repatriates 1,102 citizens from South Africa
The Ugandan embassy said, “The arrival marks the successful conclusion of phase one of the government of Uganda’s voluntary repatriation exercise.”
NationWide
CSOs urge assessment of National Assembly’s proposed electoral college for women legislators
“The proposal is unfamiliar to many stakeholders and understandably raises concerns, but we must carefully interrogate it instead of dismissing it outright,” he said.
Hot news Home top
Ryanair passenger partly sucked out of Boeing 737 plane as window dislodges after take-off
A witness said a passenger’s head and shoulders were sticking out of the broken window, and fellow passengers managed to pull him back inside the aircraft.
Lagos
LG chairman bans indiscriminate placement of banners, posters at Badagry roundabout
“This will also improve visibility for motorists, prevent obstruction of traffic signs and maintain the aesthetic of one of Badagry’s busiest gateway corridors,” he said.
Economy
Digital payments power Nigeria’s $11.09 billion food service industry: Moniepoint Study
The study projected that the market would reach $19.31 billion by 2030, expanding at an annual rate of 11.73 per cent.
States
LG Poll: Edo police impose statewide movement restriction
The police command in Edo State announced movement restriction from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday as part of measures for the local government election.
