Wike’s Ally Speaks On Former Vice President’s Political Stance
Former House of Representatives member Tajudeen Yusuf has claimed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yusuf stated that Atiku, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, is now involved in ongoing coalition talks with various political figures. He stressed the need for the party to move beyond dependence on individual personalities if it hopes to regain electoral relevance.
“Atiku is out of the PDP; he is part of the coalition with a lot of people,” Yusuf said.
A known ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Yusuf criticised the PDP’s decision to zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the North. He squarely blamed Atiku and the party’s leadership for their defeat in the last general election.
“I blame Atiku for the 2023 election loss. If he had not mishandled the relationship with Peter Obi, and Obi had remained in the PDP as his running mate, the outcome could have been different. Obi embodied the southern agitations, and Nigerians were yearning for real change,” he added.
Yusuf also expressed disappointment over the recent defection of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that the PDP’s 2023 campaign strategy had deepened internal discontent among party members.
