Atiku Joins APC

Barely three weeks after the defection of five governors elected on its platform, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is faced with the loss of another major player, former vice president Atiku Abubakar.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the nation’s former number two citizen had been under pressure to dump the PDP since the defection of the five governors - Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Abdulfattah Ahmed (Kwara) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).

As part of moves to firm up his possible defection, Atiku will today play host to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former head of state, General Mohammadu Buhari, former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and governors of the party, at his Abuja residence.

Atiku’s Media aide, Garba Shehu confirmed his principal’s meeting with the leadership of the opposition party, but declined to comment on whether or not the former vice president would declare for the APC today.

Although it could not be independently confirmed that the Turaki Adamawa (as Atiku is fondly called) would make a formal pronouncement after his parley with the APC leadership, a source confided in LEADERSHIP that Atiku’s move to join the party was encouraged by the successful merger of the APC and the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led factional leadership of the PDP.

“His mind and soul are all here because Turaki, as we all know him, is a progressive to the core. That is why his ideals and those of the leadership of the PDP have always conflicted.

“So the nation, not only the APC, will benefit if he finally makes up his mind to join; and I am sure after our meeting today, the polity will witness another lap of a political race,” the source said.