I've Not Returned and Will Not Return to PDP, I'm in APC to Stay - Atiku

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has said that his commitment to the APC and the success of its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, and other candidates of the party in the 2015 general elections is unwavering and never been up for bargaining.

The former Vice President made the assertion against the backdrop of media reports of his purported return to the fold of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I remain irrevocably committed to the APC, as I promised in my concession speech at the conclusion of our party’s presidential primaries, and has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of our great party at the general elections,” the former Vice President is quoted to have said. 

A statement by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja on Tuesday said that reports of Atiku’s purported return to the PDP or any other party is the handiwork of mischief makers focused on pitching the former Vice President against other leaders of the opposition party.

Atiku said that for the avoidance of doubt he is unequivocally committed to the unity of APC and that it will take more than the antics of mischief makers to break that bond.

Atiku noted that his return from Adamawa, where he convened a meeting and reconciled disagreeing camps within the party, towards ensuring victory for the APC, bears eloquent testimony of this commitment.

The statement reminded that the former Vice President currently supports the financial operations of the APC in many states, in most cases as a sole financier.

“I have backed my words and commitment with my resources to ensure that I bring my influence and support to bear on our party’s march to victory at all levels in the general election. That should be enough to shut up mischief makers bent on derailing the APC’s success at the March 28 and April elections,” he said. 

The Atiku Media Office observed that as one of Nigeria’s astute politicians and businessmen, there may be overtures from across political divides to the former Vice President, but restated that Atiku Abubakar has publicly stated his commitment to the APC and has privately rebuffed the approaches from all quarters.