By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Despite the leadership tussle threatening the existence of the major opposition Peoples Democratic Pary (PDP), a group known as PDP Action Group 2023 has warned the party’s 2019 flag bearer and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar desist from contesting for party’s Presidential ticket in the 2023 general election.
The group warned that to give Atiku the party’s ticket amount to a waste of another opportunity and signals clear defeat of PDP in 2023. The group advised him to quit the stage and serve as an adviser and role model for the younger generation.
The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Hon. Rufus Omeire said that it will be a disaster for the party, if the former Vice-President deceives PDP for a second time.
The group had last week frowned at Atiku for abandoning PDP and relocating to Dubai, after the elections while the party was submerged in crises, adding that he shielded himself from PDP members, only for him to resurface as the elections were getting ready.
The Waziri Adamawa had during the PDP BoT meeting in Abuja last week disclosed that his long stay in Dubai was to acquire a master’s degree in International Relations from Cambridge University.
Not satisfied with his explanations, the group continued,
“On the contrary, the entire country is aware that he relocated to Dubai, where he even had his highly advertised COVID Vaccination even before the vaccine was available to ordinary Nigerians.
“It is disingenuous for Atiku to claim that he was in school in Cambridge, London when he actually lived in Dubai.
“If he enrolled in the University of Cambridge, for a part-time course, he could have as well done the programme from Nigeria. He should come clean with the truth, apologise to PDP faithful for letting them down and step aside. He will be better playing a role as elder statesmen as we earlier suggested.
“What is more, he is on record to have boasted during the 2018 Presidential primaries, that he was the ONLY candidate with the financial MUSCLE and otherwise, to face President Buhari and defeat him. Alas, he wasted the ticket of PDP.
“He mismanaged and dashed the trust, hopes and votes of PDP members and Nigerians. He lost in all the North West States, lost in 4 of the 6 North East States where he hails from, lost in virtually all the South-West and the North Central States and managed to eke out a slim victory in South-East and the South-South States. In fact, he won in his home state of Adamawa with only 32,000 votes!.
“It is not the culture in the North and Nigerians to vote for very wealthy businessmen to lead. Examples abound. Sir Ahmadu Bello, Alh. Tafawa Balewa, Shehu Shagari and Umaru Musa Yar’adua , Olusegun Obasanjo.
“These are not men of financial wealth. They are simple, honest and decent Nigerians who deserved the support of Northerners and Nigerians, with the singular exception of Buhari who, though, not a man of wealth, is, however, a basket case as a President.
“In summary, for Atiku, it is time to quit the stage. It is time for PDP to begin the search for another acceptable candidate. A candidate that projects incorruptibility, honesty, simplicity, capacity, accessibility and ability to govern. A candidate that will not abandon the masses.
“A candidate that will unite Nigeria, solve the security challenges, restore peace in the land and take the country to greater economic heights. Nigerians are waiting and looking up to PDP. Bottom line, PDP must shine their eyes this time around to ensure victory at the pools. PDP Action 2023 will help ensure that this happens,” the group said.
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