Atiku’s exit attracting new members to our fold, says PDP deputy spokesperson

Ibrahim Abdullahi, deputy national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the party is gaining more members following the exit of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking during an interview with Nigeria Info FM on Monday, Abdullahi said Atiku’s departure had opened space for others who felt marginalised within the party.

He said the PDP has never been without leadership since its formation in 1998.

“The party cannot be leaderless. It never was throughout the 27 years of its existence,” Abdullahi said.

“We have had leadership from inception at formation in 1998, and it’s always the national chairman that leads the party alongside the other members of the national working committee.

“And so that has been the tradition, and that has been the trend in all political parties throughout the globe.

“And so, as we speak, PDP is with a leader—that is, the acting national chairman—inspiring the others who are his colleagues, and one of them, my humble self, you are speaking with together.

“We are steering the ship of the PDP as NWC. And so, with Atiku Abubakar leaving, it’s only a confirmation that people can come and leave, but a political party will remain.”

Abdullahi said Atiku’s exit had paved the way for others who felt his presence excluded them.

“And just after his exit a few days back, more than a handful have joined,” he said.

“Those who felt his inclusion or membership was affecting their inclusion. And so now they have come all out.

“And increasingly, we keep getting people talking to us that we have done the right thing, even though we were not the ones who asked him to go.”

“But we seem to be receiving commendation unending, as to allowing the exit of Atiku Abubakar, just so they can fit in proper, as though he was a clog on the wheel of progress for them.”