Atiku Distance Himself from Ongoing PDP Leadership Crisis
Reports have emerged of ongoing conflicts within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), with the party’s highest leadership body, the National Executive Council (NEC), set to convene on November 28. Amid this backdrop, a key aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has spoken out to distance Atiku from the crisis.
According to Phrank Shuaibu, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, the ex-VP is not involved in the party’s internal disputes. Shuaibu emphasized that Atiku remains committed to building a strong, unified PDP, and any claims of his involvement in the crisis are unfounded.
The crisis began to unfold as FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s differences with Atiku reportedly contributed to the tension, but neither leader attended a crucial stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday. As a result, long-standing divisions within the party have come to the fore.
With the NEC meeting drawing near, concerns are growing that the internal strife could escalate further. In response to inquiries about Atiku’s potential role in challenging a court order preventing the removal of PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, Shuaibu disputed the notion, calling it “far-fetched and unfair.”
“Atiku Abubakar is a strong believer in due process and has been dedicated to empowering the PDP to become a force to be reckoned with. He has no involvement in any crisis that might undermine the party’s progress,” Shuaibu said in an interview with TheNation.
He added, “It’s unrealistic and unfair to suggest that Atiku has any connection with plans to challenge Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment by mobilizing lawyers to go to court.”
