- His exit, not new, we’re expecting his return, says Damagum
- Many people congratulating us on his resignation – Spokesman
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar came under some mocking yesterday from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following his Wednesday exit from the party, his third since 2007.
Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, said Atiku’s latest departure did not come to the party as a surprise.
He said the former VP would be back in the party as he has always done.
Atiku’s resignation, according to him, is consistent with his history of switching political affiliations.
“This is not the first time; we’re expecting him back,” he said, flanked by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
Damagum said PDP remained strong and unbothered by Atiku’s resignation.
Why PDP is not losing sleep over Atiku —Abdulahi
Also speaking on Atiku’s exit from the PDP, the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulahi, said it (exit) has no consequence for the party.
Atiku, according to him, “is a person who is given to driving and pursuing his ambition with every vehicle, and there’s nothing wrong with that in the face of the law.
“But we as a party are not deterred; we are not losing any sleep over Atiku Abubakar.”
Continuing, Abdulahi, who spoke on Arise Television, said: “When he said the other previous instances were not as justified as this present one, it leaves much to be desired about his commitment to the party. But suffice to say PDP is moving on; we are beginning to get our house together.
“If only you know the number of persons that are calling to congratulate the PDP on his exit, because there were a lot of persons who, all along, wanted to identify with the PDP but they were apprehensive of his involvement for the simple reason that as long as he remained within the party all the time, he would get the ticket, and it doesn’t matter to him if the zoning favours the north.
“A lot of persons are now calling across the strata, saying that now you people seem to be getting it right, and by the grace of God, you will cross the bridge for the first time since those of them who you know kept constituting a clog in the wheel of the progress for the party are now giving way.
“So, we bid him farewell. Let him go and try somewhere else. I only pray he will not fail in his promise by coming back after the so-called coalition hits the rocks, which is going to be the case ultimately.”
Abdulahi said PDP would not have found itself in the crisis it currently battles with if Atiku had managed the post-2022 PDP presidential primary situation carefully.
He added: “All that he is obsessed with is to contest for the presidency of Nigeria at all cost. And when a person begins to think that he is indispensable in a movement, then it leaves much to be desired about his sincerity in that mission.
“By now one would be expecting Atiku to have called it (presidential bid) off; to have raised some other successors to say three decades after he started, he’s not still aspiring for the presidency.
“It mustn’t be you; if you can’t see anybody all along to back for it, it’s very unfortunate. So, PDP is not losing any sleep over his exit.”
Abdulahi said Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, remains a member of the PDP as he hasn’t come out to denounce his membership.
He spoke of PDP’s plan to utilise an ongoing internal process to ensure reconciliation and also deal with any member who perpetuates division within it.
He said that with the resolution of the dispute over the authentic national secretary, the party was now poised to put the past behind it and move boldly forward ahead of the 2027 general election.
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