It has been reported that a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, will formerly collect his PDP membership card in his home State of Adamawa, a development that will mark his final exit from the APC. Daily Trust sought the opinions of some Nigerians on this decision.
Aisha Amoka, 32, System Analyst
Generally, I think everyone has a choice to be in a platform he or she believes will be to his advantage. Atiku Abubakar probably has seen that he will not win or be given a fair chance in APC, hence the switch.
Amina Joy Jatau, 32, Development Worker
Most people think Atiku is desperate for power. I think his decision is about his desire to clinch power at whatever cost and not because he wants to get in to improve conditions.
Abdulsalam Mohammed Kazeem, 31, Activist
The defection of Atiku Abubakar to PDP will be of great help to both parties based on the following reasons: It will reposition PDP as the main opposition political party in Nigeria and continue engagement of the present administration. With Abubakar in PDP, it has further exposed the inability of the ruling party to carry all card carrying members along. His defection will further expose some rot in APC to the general public. Also, his defection will cause more damage than good, because Abubakar has his own committed followers, by so doing the ruling party has lost some percentage of their followers, both home and abroad. He will base all his defection reasons on the inability of the ruling party to fulfil her campaign promises with a lot of evidences, being a privileged member of the inner circle.
Lack of internal democracy is one of the major reasons for his defection from APC. He is one of those that helped in the APC winning the 2015 general elections in terms of resources and other factors. So, the APC has lost a huge resource and other factors that can help them win the 2019 general elections. APC is not a political party, they are a coalition of different political interests whose quest for power forcefully brought them together and yet they refuse to ensure the protection of all stakeholders.
Hafsat Mustapha, 23, Youth Corps member
I think Atiku Abubakar is desperate for power. All he wants is to be in power that is why is moving from one party to another. I can say he is indecisive, he doesn’t know where to stay and I think people will not take him seriously. Power does not come by changing political parties. If he is indecisive about political parties then how will he be able to decide for the country if he gets the power? I do not think this is a good strategy of getting power. Someone who is ready to run for election, especially for the seat of the President should be able to stand by his decisions.
Yusuf Arrigasiyyu, 40, Teacher
Atiku Abubakar’s defection is a step in the right direction. If he had remained in the party and things went on without his voice being heard, we will think he is in support of everything and we are the same people that will castigate him in the future that he did not do the right thing when he was in the party. He is a man of focus and integrity, which are good traits of a democrat.
Aisha Yakubu, 34, Public Servant
I do not see anything wrong with Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from APC. He probably was not comfortable there and wants to move to where he thinks he will be more comfortable.
Shuaib Bello, Automobile Technician
Atiku Abubakar’s defection from APC to PDP matters due to his personality as a businessman and a former Vice President of the country. What remains is how this would affect the future of the country and the common man. For me as a citizen, all this may not have been happening if the nation is developed and there is no hunger and poverty in the land.
country and the common man. For me as a citizen, all this may not have been happening if the nation is developed and there is no hunger and poverty in the land.
