By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The political pressure group known as PDP Action 2023 has kicked against the possible emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of 2023 general election.
The group in a statement on Wednesday signed by it’s Chairman, Hon. Rufus Omeire said that Atiku abandoned the party when his support, advise and direction was mostly needed to provide leadership after his ill-fated Presidential election.
The group said that Atiku was old for the race and advised him to leave the stage for younger aspirants while Atiku can take the position of Board of Trustee (BoT) Chairman insisting that for PDP to achieve it’s aim, it should present an acceptable candidate as President in 2023.
“In 2019, the PDP presented Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He contested against President Buhari and lost. He will be 77 in 2023. It is very shameful that since he lost the presidential election, he moved to Dubai, abandoning all members of PDP, all the stakeholders, and millions of ordinary Nigerians who voted for him and PDP in 2019.
“It is a betrayal of trust for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to neglect the feelings and sacrifices of ordinary voters who supported him and PDP in 2019.
“Now 2023 elections are once again at hand, he has returned and started politicking once again. Apparently, the only thing he is very good at, is politics” the group stated.
The group said that the Waziri Adamawa, ahead of the forthcoming election, has started strategic meetings and politicking with Governor Wike in Port Harcourt, Gov. Okowa in Delta State, met with Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki and Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State to reposition himself as possible flag bearer of the party.
The group advised Atiku to allow a younger candidate to emerge as the next Presidential Candidate of the party.
“We think that time has come for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, to step aside and allow others, preferably the younger generation, to step forward. He can be asked to take the position of the Chairman PDP Board of Trustees where he will play an advisory role to younger politicians, as an elder statesman”.
The party has been embroidered in leadership crises leading to Elder Yemi Akinwonmi (Deputy Chairman South) and Senator Sulaiman (Deputy Chairman North) laying claim to the Acting Chairmanship position.
