ABUJA
Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have said that the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from its fold, will not affect the fortunes of the party in 2027
Atiku announced his resignation from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, citing irreconcilable differences and a shift in the party’s direction from its founding principles.
But the PDP, Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and former Deputy National Chairman of the party, have said Atiku’s exit would not affect PDP’s fortunes in the 2027 elections.
The PDP, yesterday, dismissed the resignation of the former Vice President, describing it as ‘nothing new’ and urged Nigerians to shift focus to more pressing issues such as hunger and economic hardship, rather than political defections.
A senior member of PDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, speaking exclusively to Vanguard in Abuja, said Atiku’s move did not come as a surprise.
“Atiku’s departure from the PDP is nothing new. As Nigerians, we tend to become overly fixated on individuals. Hasn’t Atiku left this party before? Did anything fundamentally change?” the official stated.
The PDP leader also criticised the media for what he described as misplaced priorities.
“Meanwhile, people are suffering from hunger, yet the media isn’t prioritising that issue. Are our lives solely defined by politicians switching parties?” he queried.
Efforts to reach the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for an official reaction were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to multiple phone calls.
On his part, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State downplayed the exit of its former presidential candidate, declaring that it won’t affect the fortunes of the party.
Makinde said this in Akure, Ondo State during an interview with journalists at the 10th anniversary of the rulership of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.
Asked to comment on the exit of Atiku from the party, the governor said: “Politics is a game of interest. I don’t think that will make any dent on PDP as a party.
“The Peoples Democratic Party is an institution. We have freedom of entrance and exit. Anyone that will hold PDP down, it is better for such an individual to quit.”
On whether the Africa Democratic Congress, ADC, poses a threat to the party, Makinde said: “l don’t see ADC as a threat to PDP. The goal is about the same. If you are not happy about the tempo and pace of governance, you are free to associate and see what can be done.
“But one thing we must all realize is that players will come and go, governors will come and go, president will come and go but our state and country will remain.”
Also reacting to Atiku’s resignation from the PDP, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, said the former VP’s exit from the party has confirmed his selfishness. George in a chat with Vanguard, advised the former presidential candidate to retire from politics.
He said: “Atiku has just confirmed that his selfishness made him leave the party. he is more bothered about what he stands to gain rather than what Nigerians stand to gain or benefit.
“For me, my advise to him, as a friend and an older brother, is that he should retire home and rest. In 2007, he should have gotten what he wanted but he missed the opportunity. My advise to him is to spend the rest of his life in peace of mind with his family. He should learn from the life of late Muhammadu Buhari.
“He was taught a lesson by Bola but presently, there is no place he can return to. My advice to him is that he should go and rest. I would not say he should not contest but he cannot get the ticket or our party because our laws don’t allow it.”
