Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the defection of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Okowa, who was Atiku’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election under the PDP, joined the APC along with incumbent governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and other party stakeholders in Delta State.
Addressing the development on Friday evening, Atiku said he had received many messages from Nigerians asking how he felt about the defections.
He explained that in a democracy, people have the right to choose where they belong politically, and he has no problem with those who decided to leave the PDP.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s main problem is not about which party someone belongs to, but the current hardship Nigerians are facing under the Tinubu-led government.
According to him, the economy is getting worse, prices are rising, jobs are disappearing, and many young people are frustrated.
Atiku said the Tinubu administration has failed and is using division and distractions to cover up its poor performance.
He called on Nigerians to focus on fixing the country instead of being divided by party, ethnicity, or religion.
Atiku also defended his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying political leaders often meet and consult across party lines.
He questioned why some people attacked him for visiting Buhari, while others in the PDP meet with President Tinubu without being criticized.
