photo: Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa (Left), Alhaji. Atiku Abubakar (Right)
Raphael Johnson
The 2023 presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar said he bears no grudges against his running mate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and others that recently defected from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former Vice President added that the recent wave of defections that hit PDP is freedom of association and expression in action.
Atiku said this in a statement issued on Friday.
On Wednesday, Okowa and Delta Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori quit the PDP and joined the APC.
A member of the House of Representatives from Osun State, Hon. Wole Oke also quit the PDP to join the APC.
Reacting to the development, Atiku said, “Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights.
“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.
“As someone who holds fast to these values, I bear no grudges against anyone for exercising their right to political alignment. Defections, alliances, and realignments are part and parcel of democratic politics. We’ve seen them before, and we’ll see them again.”
Atiku disclosed that he has been insulted over his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He queried why he should be villified for the visit while PDP governors freely form alliances with President Bola Tinubu.