Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has broken his silence over the recent spate of defections by key members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), calling for a sober reflection on Nigeria’s democratic values while launching a scathing attack on the Bola Tinubu administration.
In a statement released on X Friday evening, Atiku described the political realignments as a common feature of democracy and insisted that Nigerians must not be distracted by the theatrics of party affiliations, but rather focus on the failings of the current government.
“I have been overwhelmed with inquiries from concerned Nigerians, all eager to understand my position on the latest political shifts, particularly the defection of some PDP members to the ruling party,” Atiku said, adding, “Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights.”
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According to the former Vice President, the outcry over his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari is steeped in double standards. “Some have resorted to insults because I visited former President Muhammadu Buhari. Let’s not rewrite history: Buhari is not only a former leader but a significant statesman in the Nigerian political landscape,” he said.
Drawing comparisons to past events, Atiku recalled that similar outreach efforts were undertaken during the 2013 opposition merger.
“During the 2013 opposition merger, the leaders of the time consulted widely — including visits to Obasanjo and Babangida. So why is it now sacrilegious for me and other leaders to visit Buhari in Kaduna?” he questioned.
Atiku accused some PDP members of hypocrisy, criticizing what he described as “selective outrage” over his engagements across political lines.
“When PDP leaders are busy sipping tea and brokering power deals with President Tinubu, it’s called strategic alliance. But the moment I greet Peter Obi, el-Rufai, or visit Buhari, it becomes a national emergency. Hypocrisy and the politics of selective outrage have never been this fashionable!”
Going beyond political rivalries, Atiku turned the spotlight on what he considers the real crisis — the Tinubu administration’s inability to govern effectively. “Let us be clear: the coming political battle is not APC versus PDP, or LP versus APC. It is Nigerians versus an administration that has plunged the nation into untold suffering,” he declared.
Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current socio-economic landscape, citing rampant inflation, youth unemployment, and insecurity.
“The economy is in freefall. Inflation is choking the masses. Jobs are vanishing. Youth restiveness is surging to terrifying levels. Nigerians are not just tired — they are angry, and rightfully so.”
Atiku urged citizens to unite against what he described as the “incompetence” of the current leadership, cautioning against being lured into divisive tactics.
“This moment is about collective survival. The real enemy is not one another — it is the Tinubu administration’s abysmal failure. We must reject every attempt to distract us with ethnic, regional, or religious sentiments,” he said.
He concluded with a dire warning: “The Tinubu administration has no achievements to stand on, no credible record to defend. Its only strategy is chaos and division, because that’s the last refuge of the incompetent. And make no mistake — an incompetent captain does not only wreck his ship; he endangers the lives of everyone on board.”
The statement signals a strong political comeback for the PDP chieftain, who appears determined to redefine the 2027 electoral contest as a people’s movement rather than a partisan squabble.
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