Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he holds no resentment toward his former running mate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, or other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking through a statement released on Friday, Atiku described the wave of defections as an expression of democratic rights, including freedom of association and political alignment.
Atiku explained that democracy thrives when people are free to associate and express their political choices without fear. He emphasized that credible elections, adherence to the rule of law, and accountability are all vital components of a functioning democracy. In his words, undermining any of these pillars threatens the very foundation of the democratic process. He made it clear that political movements, alliances, and realignments are normal in any democratic system.
Senator Okowa and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori recently left the PDP for the APC, joining other politicians such as Hon. Wole Oke, a member of the House of Representatives from Osun State. Reacting to these changes, Atiku insisted that their decisions were within their rights and should not be condemned.
He also addressed criticism of his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari, questioning the double standards applied to political interactions. According to him, PDP leaders are often praised for working with President Bola Tinubu, yet his visits to leaders like Buhari or Peter Obi are met with outrage. He described this reaction as political hypocrisy and selective judgment.
Atiku reminded Nigerians that during the 2013 opposition merger, it was common for political leaders to consult with elder statesmen like Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida. He argued that meeting with Buhari should not be treated as an offense, especially in a democracy that claims to value free association.
Shifting focus to the country’s current state, Atiku criticized the Tinubu administration for failing Nigerians. He blamed the government for economic decline, rising inflation, job losses, and increased youth unrest. According to him, the main challenge facing the country is not between political parties, but between citizens and a government that has, in his view, failed to deliver basic progress.
He urged Nigerians to see beyond political distractions and to reject divisive tactics based on ethnicity, religion, or region. These, he said, are used to manipulate and divide the population, especially when a government has no results to show. Atiku concluded by warning that a government driven by chaos and division poses a risk to all Nigerians, just like an unskilled captain endangers every passenger on board his ship.
