Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has downplayed the recent defection of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and much of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Delta State to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a normal occurrence in a democracy.
In a statement issued yesterday, Atiku emphasized that political defections and realignments are routine features of democratic systems and should not be met with alarm or outrage. He stated that freedom of association is a core democratic principle and that he harbors no resentment toward those who have chosen a different political path.
“Defections, alliances and realignments are part and parcel of democratic politics. We have seen them before, and we will see them again,” he said, adding that democracy only thrives when the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability are upheld.
Atiku, who ran alongside Okowa in the 2023 presidential election, also addressed criticism surrounding his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari. He decried the backlash as hypocritical, arguing that engaging past leaders is a standard practice in coalition-building and should not attract selective outrage.
“When PDP leaders are busy sipping tea and brokering power deals with President Tinubu, it is called strategic alliance. But the moment I greet Peter Obi, el-Rufai or visit Buhari, it becomes a national emergency,” he remarked.
Calling for unity, Atiku urged Nigerians to stay focused on the pressing challenges facing the country, particularly what he called the “abysmal failure” of the Tinubu administration. He criticized the government for worsening inflation, economic hardship, and rising insecurity.
Atiku warned that Nigeria is at a critical juncture and advised citizens to resist distractions rooted in ethnic, regional, or party divisions, describing them as tactics used by leaders who lack real solutions.
“The Tinubu administration has no achievements to stand on, no credible record to defend. Its only weapon is chaos and division, because that is the last refuge of the incompetent,” he concluded.
What you should know
The defection of key figures like former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the broader Delta State PDP structure to the APC marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, but Atiku Abubakar’s response underscores a broader perspective on democratic evolution.
Atiku emphasizes that political movements, realignments, and defections are common in thriving democracies and should not be seen as a crisis.
His acceptance of the situation reflects a maturity aimed at focusing attention on national issues rather than internal political drama.
Furthermore, Atiku’s defense of his meeting with former President Muhammadu Buhari highlights the longstanding tradition of political engagement across party lines, criticizing what he describes as “selective outrage” within the political discourse.
By shifting the narrative toward pressing national concerns such as inflation, insecurity, and governance failures under the current administration, Atiku calls for a united citizenry to prioritize collective national interests over personal or party loyalties.
His message warns of the dangers of division and stresses that Nigeria’s survival depends on overcoming distractions and holding leadership accountable for tangible results, not rhetoric.
This approach repositions the conversation from political defections to the core challenges facing everyday Nigerians.
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