Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says he is unshaken by the defection of his former running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting he remains committed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said he bears no grudges and respects the democratic right of every Nigerian to choose their political affiliation.
“Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, bears no grudges; he has said that, and he means it,” Ibe said.
“As a democrat, he subscribes to the universality and constitutionality of the freedom of association, which is one of the pillars of democracy, without which democracy would be meaningless.”
Ibe also debunked ongoing speculation about Atiku leaving the PDP, stating that such claims are unfounded.
“We have addressed the issues about coalition, and remember that we had a statement to that effect; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is not leaving the PDP, and he has said that clearly.
As for those talking about him leaving the PDP, we don’t know where they are getting that from,” he added.
Okowa, who served as Delta State governor from 2015 to 2023, recently confirmed he had joined the APC. He also expressed regret over contesting alongside Atiku in the 2023 election, saying it went against the sentiment of his people.
“Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power,” he said.
He further called for President Bola Tinubu to be allowed to complete a full eight-year tenure for the sake of national stability.
“For the stability of this nation, I also do believe that, yes, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected president in 2023, and for the stability of Nigeria, it is best for us to have him complete his eight-year tenure, then the presidency can move back to the North,” Okowa added.
