Tobias Sylvester
The Technical Committee for the Actualisation of Atiku Abubakar has distanced the former vice-president from the arrangement to produce a Northern consensus candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary.
Atiku Not Part Of PDP Consensus Arrangement
KanyiDaily had reported that four aspirants from northern Nigeria presented themselves for the consensus including Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor Bala Mohammed, Dr Bukola Saraki, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
On Friday, April 22, the Northern Elders of the PDP shortlisted Mohammed and Saraki as the consensus candidates of the party after a meeting in Minna, Niger State.
In a statement on Saturday, Raymond Dokpesi, on behalf of the technical committee, said there is a need to officially distance Atiku from the exercise because they have “been inundated with several calls and text messages from concerned party members”.
Dokpesi said, “It must be stated categorically and equivocally that Waziri Atiku Abubakar MA, GCON Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999-2007 was NEVER a part of this purported consensus arrangement, neither did he at any time nor in any place, subject himself to any purported consensus process.
“Therefore, Waziri Atiku Abubakar is NOT BOUND by any of the recommendations and conclusions of the purported report.
“As an avowed nationalist, Waziri Atiku Abubakar strongly believes that Nigeria has never been as divided as it is today. He strongly believes that any ‘consensus’ arrangement premised on any regional, zonal, ethno-religious, and/or sectional gang-up will further deepen and widen this divide, and worsen the wounds that urgently need to be healed.
“Consequently, Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is anxious to implement plans, policies and programmes that will rescue and rebuild Nigeria. This is his unwavering and resolute pledge and commitment.”
Meanwhile, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has also rejected the agreement that Saraki and Bala Mohammed were shortlisted as northern consensus candidates for the PDP presidential primary.
