By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde
In response to the mass defection of key PDP stakeholders in Delta State to the APC, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Atiku Abubakar has finally broken his silence. Two days after the high-profile defections, Atiku took to X on Friday to share his thoughts on the matter. Rather than expressing outrage, Atiku adopted a measured tone, stating that he “bears no grudges against anyone for exercising their right to political alignment.” He emphasized that political realignments are an inherent aspect of democratic politics.
Atiku also seized the opportunity to address criticism surrounding his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, alongside other northern politicians. Chief Bode George had previously lambasted Atiku, accusing him of bypassing the PDP and cozying up to Buhari, a member of the ruling party. George also alleged that Atiku’s visit was aimed at promoting a coalition campaign without involving PDP stakeholders.
In response, Atiku defended his meeting with Buhari, citing the former president’s significance in Nigerian politics. He noted, “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.” Atiku drew parallels with the 2013 opposition merger, where leaders consulted widely, including visits to notable figures like Obasanjo and Babangida. He questioned why similar interactions would be deemed problematic today, saying, “So why is it now sacrilegious for me and other leaders to visit Buhari in Kaduna? If you truly believe in freedom of association, then you must respect the rights of all political actors to engage, regardless of party lines.”
Atiku also criticized the hypocrisy surrounding his interactions with other political figures, stating, “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.” He attributed the backlash to “hypocrisy and the politics of selective outrage.”
