AFTER CONSULTATION, IT IS TIME TO MOVE TO APC. LET THE BRIDGE-BUILDING CONTINUE
Press Statement by Atiku Abubakar, GCON, Turaki Adamawa and former Vice
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria on his Resignation from the PDP
and his Joining the APC
In 2006, as a result of my firm
stand in defence of our constitution and our democracy, my supporters
and I were pushed out of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, a
party that we worked tirelessly with other compatriots to build as a
vehicle to restore democracy to our country. We later returned to that
party in 2009 when a new leadership of the party and the country
promised a new direction, a direction of inclusiveness, of internal
democracy, of an end to impunity, adherence to the rule of law and
respect for the dignity of members and Nigerians.
Sadly, however,
those promises have not been kept. In addition, the PDP continues to be
beset with many crises, mostly leadership-induced crises. It has since
lost touch with Nigerians and efforts made by many well-meaning members
and stakeholders to bring it back to the vision of the founders have
been rebuffed. To demonstrate the seriousness of the challenges and
bring public attention to it I and some other leaders and stakeholders
staged a walkout during the party’s last convention in Abuja.
As I
speak, most of the issues that led to that walk-out are yet to be
addressed. Many founding members of the PDP, I included, continue to be
marginalized and excluded from the affairs of the party. For instance
as a former Vice President, I am by virtue of the PDP constitution, a
member of the party’s Board of Trustees and its National Executive
Committee. However, I am not invited to the meetings of those organs
nor consulted on their decisions, apparently because I dared to exercise
my right to contest in the party’s primary election for a chance to be
its flag-bearer in the 2011 elections. We have, therefore, concluded
that that party cannot be redeemed. In short the PDP has abandoned
Nigerians, the very people who gave it life and many electoral
victories.
More worrisome though is the danger posed to the continued existence
of this country by this culture of impunity and arbitrariness. We
continue to have threats from officially protected political extremists.
Increasingly our people are recklessly being divided along the lines
of religion, ethnicity and region for political gains. Our history and
that of many other countries in Africa and Eastern Europe ought to teach
us that this is very dangerous and must stop.
We can and we must do better. Our people deserve better.
It
is against this background that we should understand the visit by the
leaders of the APC and their invitation to me to join hands with them to
save the country. Consequently, I have been consulting my supporters
and associates, my family and friends for the past few weeks. My
decision may not satisfy some of my friends and associates. In the end,
however, I have to put the interest of our country first. This country
has done so much for me personally and it deserves all that we can do
to help rebuild it and serve our people better.
Following this
extensive consultative process, I have, therefore, decided to cast my
lot with the APC, a party of change committed to the improvement of the
lives of our people and to the continued existence and development of
Nigeria as one indivisible country. My resignation letter as a member
of the PDP will be delivered to the party tomorrow.
This is the
right decision. As in 2006 it is the struggle for democracy and
constitutionalism and service to my country and my people that are
driving my choice and my decision. Let me emphasize that this is not
about me. We have to have a country before people can aspire to lead it,
but as it is today we may be losing this country. That is not
acceptable.
I encourage my political associates and friends to
register and join the APC once the registration exercise commences, so
that together we can change this country for the better.
The
process of building a nation, of securing and deepening democracy is
indeed difficult. And it is not a lineal process. There would be
alignment and realignment of political forces. There would be ups and
downs and zig-zags, triumphs and challenges. Amidst all that, patriots
must remain focused and do what has to be done to save and build the
country and serve our people better.
That is what I have decided
to do. I will do all within my God-given powers to help the APC win
elections all over Nigeria and bring true change to our country and its
long-suffering people.
Thank you and God bless Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar, GCON
(Turaki Adamawa)
Former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Source: PM News
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