…As Atiku denies defection rumour
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has said it is not true that five governors elected on the platform of the opposition party are in support of the speculated alliance between Nasir El-Rufai and Peter Obi, former governors of Kaduna and Anambra states respectively.
The forum, in a statement by its Director General, Emmanuel Agbo, said rumours that some PDP governors are allegedly working for politicians outside the party is peddled by people who do not wish the opposition party well.
According to him, the intention of those behind the rumour is tocause dis-affection in the PDP, so as to first a one-party state on the country.
“It is obvious that these mischief makers and detractors, who are bewildered at the way and manner PDP Governors are daily performing to pull the people out of economic hardship despite the intimidation by the ruling APC, are only intimidated and can only throw mud at our good works.
“In the world of politics, rumours and speculations are common, as such, we will not allow these ‘Enemies of Progress’ and ‘Agents of Confusion’ to gaslight the Nigerian people to draw wrong and erroneous conclusions.
“Our principles are for equity, social justice, sincerity of purpose, accountability, enthronement of undefiled electoral process, enhancement of the lives of the people, and propagation of humanity.
“Suffice it for us to irrevocably state here that in 2027, PDP Governors as disciplined leaders and stakeholders will exemplify this by wholeheartedly supporting whoever emerges as the flag-bearer of our great party in the battle to wrestle power from the non-performers at the centre,” Agbo stated.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has denied dumping the PDP for another political platform.
Atiku, in a statement by his media office, said unsubstantiated news of his defection was “a total fallacy.”
The statement read in part: “We wish to clarify that the so-called news of Atiku defecting to another party is a total fallacy that holds no merit in logic.
“Recall that Atiku Abubakar had persistently called for a coalition of opposition political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election with the aim of ousting the incompetent and pain-inflicting All Progressives Congress, in order to give Nigerians a new lease of life.
“Atiku is advocating a robust coalition that would accommodate all opposition parties – the PDP inclusive. Hence, it is fallacious and unfounded to allege that the Waziri is jumping PDP ship.
Such an allegation is antithetical to the objective of the grand coalition, which the former Vice President is currently driving alongside other prominent political leaders in the country.
“We, therefore, wish to state unequivocally that Atiku remains a principal bonafide member of the PDP, the main opposition party.
“Any insinuation to the contrary is contrived to confuse Nigerians about the magnitude of the grand coalition that is at work to rescue Nigeria from the grip of the APC.”
