Atiku breaks silence on Oborevwori’s defection, says people have right to associate

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has responded to the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement released on X on Friday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, said it is important to state clearly that “freedom of association and expression are core democratic rights — not privileges”.

“Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights,” he wrote.

“Alongside these stand the pillars of a just and functional democratic society: the people, the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability. Undermine any of these, and democracy itself begins to crumble.”

On Wednesday, Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent governor of Delta, left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Ifeanyi Okowa, his immediate predecessor, is set to join the ruling party soon.

Oborevwori succeeded Okowa as the governor of Delta after winning the 2023 election on the platform of the PDP.

In recent weeks, the PDP has lost several members to the ruling APC, with other governors and key party members also reportedly planning to defect.

Abubakar said any attempt to erode these values is a direct threat to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

He said that defections and political alignments are part of the country’s evolving democratic culture, and must not be seen as betrayal.

“As someone who believes deeply in democratic ideals, I bear no ill will towards anyone who chooses a different political path,” he said.

“Politics will always involve shifting alliances — we’ve seen them in the past and we’ll see more in the future.”

‘HYPOCRISY REIGNS SUPREME’

Abubakar also addressed criticism that trailed his recent visit to former president Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna.

Earlier this month, the ex-VP led a delegation, including Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto; and Isa Pantami, former minister of communications, to Buhari’s residence.

The former vice-president said his visit was delayed due to his obligations in Adamawa, where he had taken part in Sallah celebrations.

Days after the visit, the move drew widespread criticism, particularly from within the PDP, with many labeling it as unacceptable and a show of anti-party activity.

However, Abubakar dismissed the outrage as hypocritical, citing past instances when opposition leaders consulted former presidents without backlash.

“It is not a sin to visit Buhari,” he said.

“During the 2013 opposition merger talks, key political figures made visits to Obasanjo and Babangida — so why is it now sacrilegious to visit Buhari?”

Abubakar questioned why some PDP leaders are applauded for meeting President Bola Tinubu, yet his own engagements are labelled suspicious.

“When PDP leaders drink tea with Tinubu and cut power-sharing deals, it is called ‘strategy,” he said.

“But when I greet Peter Obi, meet Nasir el-Rufai, or visit Buhari, it becomes a national scandal.”

He also described the reactions as driven by double standards, warning that Nigeria’s politics is becoming riddled with “selective outrage”.

‘TINUBU’S ADMINISTRATION HAS NO RECORD TO DEFEND’

Abubakar said the real issue before Nigerians is not about political parties anymore, but about the failure of the current administration.

“This is no longer APC vs PDP or Labour Party vs APC,” he said.

“It is Nigerians vs a regime that has plunged the nation into misery.”

He blamed the Tinubu administration for a collapsing economy, surging inflation, growing joblessness and increasing youth agitation.

“Nigerians are not just tired — they are angry,” he said.

Abubakar called for unity against what he described as a government bereft of vision and performance.

He urged Nigerians to reject ethnic, religious or regional distractions, noting that such tactics are meant to divide and confuse the populace.

“The Tinubu government has nothing to show — no policy wins, no achievements,” he said.

“All it has is confusion and division. That’s the only thing incompetence knows how to offer.”

Abubakar warned that mismanagement at the top poses grave danger to all Nigerians, regardless of background or party affiliation.

“An incompetent captain doesn’t just sink his ship; he puts everyone on board at risk,” he added.