Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says he is not bothered by the defection of his running mate in the 2023 presidential election, Ifeanyi Okowa, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, stating that he is not leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Atiku, speaking through his media aide, Paul Ibe, said it is undemocratic to begrudge anyone for choosing where to belong politically.
“Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, bears no grudges; he has said that, and he means it.
“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 said.
According to him, the former Vice-President remains committed to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and has no plans to join another party.
“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.
Sunrise recalls that Okowa on Monday said he regretted accepting to run as vice-presidential candidate alongside Atiku in the 2023 elections, adding that it went against the sentiments of his people.
“Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power,” Okowa had said.
The former Delta State governor had earlier said that President Bola Tinubu should be allowed to complete eight years in office.
“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,” he said.
