Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said he holds no grudges over the defection of his 2023 running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reacting through his media aide, Paul Ibe, on Monday, Atiku maintained that it is undemocratic to fault anyone for choosing their political path.
“Former vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar bears no grudges; he has said that, and he means it,” Ibe stated.
“As a democrat, he subscribes to the universality and constitutionality of the freedom of association, which is one of the pillars of democracy, without which democracy would be meaningless.”
Ibe also reaffirmed Atiku’s commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing any claims that the former vice-president intends to join another party.
“We have addressed the issues about coalition, and remember that we had a statement to that effect; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is not leaving the PDP, and he has said that clearly,” he said.
“As for those talking about him leaving the PDP, we don’t know where they are getting that from.”
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Meanwhile, Okowa, the former governor of Delta State, had on Monday expressed regret over his decision to run alongside Atiku in the 2023 presidential election, citing a disconnect with the sentiments of his people.
“Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power,” Okowa had said.
He further stated that President Bola Tinubu should be allowed to complete two terms for the sake of national stability.
“For the stability of this nation, I also do believe that, yes, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected president in 2023, and for the stability of Nigeria, it is best for us to have him complete his eight-year tenure, then the presidency can move back to the north,” he said.
