A former Special Adviser to Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Umar Ardo, has sounded a warning that the party may expel the former Vice President.
Ardo posited that Atiku’s expulsion from the PDP might become inevitable if he does not abandon his presidential ambitions.
The remark comes in the wake of PDP governors distancing themselves from Atiku.
It can be recalled that Atiku vehemently criticized the Supreme Court ruling which upheld President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February presidential election.
Regardless, Atiku has vowed to remain steadfast in his political pursuits, despite conceding that “this aspect of the job is done.”
In response to Atiku’s stance, the PDP Governors Forum expressed their willingness to collaborate with Tinubu, owing to his role in resolving the political crisis in Rivers State.
Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, confirmed this commitment after intervening in the dispute between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara.
In a statement, Ardo suggested that the PDP governors’ declaration to work with President Bola Tinubu indicates a divergence from Atiku.
Ardo stated, “Having analyzed Atiku’s press conference on the Supreme Court’s judgment and his stance on President Bola Tinubu’s presidential candidacy, juxtaposed with the communique issued by the PDP Governors Forum after their meeting at the Oyo State’s Governor’s Lodge, it is evident that the honeymoon between the party’s 2023 presidential candidate and its governors has come to an end.”
He further highlighted Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State’s public recognition of President Tinubu’s leadership qualities and the PDP governors’ readiness to cooperate and support the government he leads.
“Nothing can be more explicit in demonstrating the divergence of paths pursued by both parties,” Ardo emphasized.
Consequently, Ardo predicts that it is only a matter of time before an inevitable implosion occurs, either leading to Atiku relinquishing his presidential aspirations, exiting the PDP voluntarily, or facing expulsion from the party.
