The Digest:
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed the recent defection of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an act of "personal survival" rather than a reflection of the ruling party's popularity. In a statement by his media adviser, Atiku asserted that while politicians are free to choose platforms, the wave of opposition defections signals pressure and intimidation from an administration that "fears accountability." He characterized the 2027 elections as a referendum on President Bola Tinubu and the APC, questioning what the party would campaign on amid prevailing hardship. Atiku urged Nigerians not to sell their votes and predicted that the people's will would prevail in the upcoming polls. The former vice-president, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warned against the government's alleged attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
Key Points
- The statement frames defections as a product of governmental intimidation rather than genuine ideological alignment.
- It seeks to reassure the opposition base that political realignments do not equate to a loss of public support.
- The focus on the 2027 election as a "referendum" on the APC's performance aims to mobilize voters around issues of governance.
- Atiku's critique reinforces the narrative of an administration under pressure, despite gaining political recruits.
- The appeal against selling votes underscores a concern about the influence of money and inducements in the electoral process.
Sources: Atiku Abubakar's Official Statement
