Atiku’s Exit: A Tragedy or a Turning Point?
Atiku’s Exit From PDP: A Tragedy of a Tuning Point?
By Catherine Ifeoma Samfelix
The exit of Atiku Abubakar the key factor of people’s Democratic Party(PDP) is no longer a surprise to the group members since he has left several times in the time past. But one question that remains pertinent is; his exit this time is it going to be a turning point for the party or a tragedy?
Atiku’s departure is actually long speculated, it is the symbolic end of a chapter in PDP’s troubled history. Many observers see it as a relief to the party instead of a loss. Of course some see it as a huge loss too.
The party’s internal crisis has lingered for long and the height of it is during 2023 election when Atiku emerged as the presidential candidate. Many see it as a betrayal to the South South’s aspiration for power rotation. Key stakeholders, especially from the southern wing of the party felt side-lined. Persons like the then governor Nyesom Wike and his G5 colleagues openly rebelled against Atiku and party’s decision.
For All Progressive Alliance (ADC), Atiku’s presence may definitely bring media attention and indecision to the new followers of the party. It’s obvious Atiku’s intention may be to reinvent himself yet again as a presidential candidate but questions abound. Can a man who switched parties several times be trusted to stay long enough to build one?
However, Atiku maintained that PDP strayed from its original values and ideals as such he can’t continue to pay loyalty to a faulty force. He cited fundamental disagreements with the party’s current trajectory and maintained his decision for exit.
The PDP hasn’t issued an official response yet but the insiders acknowledged the significance of loosing a key figure like Atiku.
