Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, responded to some PDP chieftains’ decision to withdraw from the 2023 election.
The PDP presidential candidate also addressed their insistence that Iyorchia Ayu, the National Chairman, resign from the position.
Apart from the Rivers chapter, all other states submitted names of people they wanted on the Presidential Campaign Council, and Atiku claimed he was surprised by their withdrawal.
“I firmly believe that everything we do in our party must be done in accordance with and in conformity with the law and our constitution because I am a committed democrat and firm believer in the rule of law and democratic tenets, and because our party is one that is set up, organized, and regulated by law and our constitution.
“If Dr. Ayu’s office is to be terminated, it must be done in accordance with the laws that specify the grounds for such termination. In any case, you will all remember that he has already received a vote of confidence from the very body that is authorized by law to begin this removal from office.
Now, our country is suffering from a multifaceted crisis that includes, to name a few, insecurity, economic collapse, division and mistrust among its citizens, and educational disruptions.
“I have a strategy to deal with these problems, and I’ve been graciously given the nomination to lead our great party in the presidential elections next year, with the clear instruction to come and lead the initiatives to treat these ills.
In light of this, I have appealed to every single member of our wonderful party to join me in the enormous undertaking necessary to right the ship of state and contribute to the reconstruction of our nation.
“And it is my sincere hope and prayer that every person of good will will work with us to help rebuild and reposition our beloved country,” the statement continues.
Atiku urged PDP members who have declared their intention to leave the Presidential Campaign Council to reconsider and backtrack on their decision.
“Despite the foregoing, we must not for a second shirk our duties to rebuild this beloved country of ours for the sake of our nation, our children, and those yet to be born.
“In light of this, we must continue working on the task and mandate that have been entrusted to us. Therefore, it is now time to begin the difficult nation-building tasks that lie ahead of us, he continued in his statement.