Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, has warned his followers, in particular party stalwarts, to refrain from making inflammatory remarks that could interfere with the ongoing internal reconciliation process.
This is in line with the former vice president’s claim that Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, and his colleagues in other states are desperately striving to ensure that the main opposition party wins the upcoming presidential election.
Atiku made the announcement via a press release in Abuja on Thursday, August 25, that was signed by his media adviser, Paul Ibe.
Read Also: NBA Conference: Akpata Expresses Dissatisfaction Over Lawyer’s Misconduct
The former president’s stance came in response to allegations that the PDP is growing more concerned that the conflict between Atiku and Wike will hurt the party’s chances of winning the 2023 presidential election.
The party officials expressed worry about the developing friendship between Wike and significant APC members in separate interviews on Wednesday, calling the relationship a worrying development.
Also on Thursday, Wike and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in London.
Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Donald Duke, the former governor of Cross River State, and other friends of Wike attended the meeting.
However, Atiku on Thursday warned his supporters and other PDP stakeholders to desist forthwith from making statements that are capable of compromising the ongoing work towards further strengthening the party and bringing all its leaders together.
The statement read;
It has become imperative to appeal to all party members, leaders and everyone related to, connected with or associated with the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar to desist from making comments that potentially reduce the optics of PDP’s image as a united political party.
This appeal becomes necessary in order to call the attention of party leaders and members to the diversionary antics of the ruling All Progressives Congress which, in manufacturing a false impression of division within the PDP, aims to hoodwink the Nigerian public to overlook the monumental failures of the ruling party.
Today, Nigerians look up to the Peoples Democratic Party to lead the charge in ousting the ruling party. This expectation from the people is the reason why the APC is jittery of their impending fall in next year’s general election. It is also the very reason why the ruling party is manipulating the political process to create a sense of division in the PDP.
All the leaders of the party, including especially the governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Nyesom Wike and all governors of the PDP are united in working for the victory of the PDP in next year’s general election across board.
What is at stake in the next year’s election is the future of Nigeria and all leaders and members of the PDP are on the same page in the mission to rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of the APC.”
