A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Segun Adewale, has refuted claims that Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy in 2027 would hurt the party’s chances at the polls.
Reacting to comments made by Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, during a television interview on Monday, Adewale said Abubakar remained a valuable asset to the party rather than a burden.
George had suggested that Abubakar’s emergence as a candidate could be detrimental to the PDP’s prospects in 2027.
Abubakar, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, came second behind President Bola Tinubu.
In response, Adewale, a former State Chairman of the PDP, argued that the party’s real threat lies in internal sabotage, not in Abubakar’s ambition.
“Atiku has been contributing to the party for years,” he said.
“Atiku would have won the 2023 presidential election if not for the anti-party activities of some people like Bode George.”
He blamed internal divisions for the PDP’s electoral losses, particularly in Lagos and other states.
“They made sure that the PDP votes were divided in Lagos and other states. PDP lost that election for that reason,” Adewale added.
He urged party leaders to redirect their focus towards unifying the party and combating internal betrayal.
“Some PDP leaders should be ashamed of themselves, especially those working for the opposition openly and without looking backward in every election,” he said.
According to Adewale, the party has suffered since 2015 due to leaders who secretly or openly support opposition candidates.
“If Atiku’s candidacy will destroy the PDP, what do we say of party leaders who openly told PDP members to vote opposition in an election? Will that build or brighten our chances?” he asked.
He emphasized that the real issue facing the PDP is internal sabotage, not the choice of candidate.
“We should rather concentrate on those in the party but working for the opposition. This anti-party (activities) is our problem, not Atiku’s candidacy,” he said.
Adewale also cautioned George against acting as the sole voice of the Lagos PDP.
(NAN)