Apex Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has destroyed what was left of the party’s chances in the 2023 election.
The WITNESS reports that this is coming after PDP’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar told his audience at an event in Kaduna not to vote for a Yoruba or Igbo candidate in 2023.
Atiku said, “What the average Northerner needs is somebody who’s from the north and also understands that part of the country and has been able to build bridges across the country.
“This is what the Northerner needs, it doesn’t need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate, I stand before you as a Pan-Nigerian of northern origin.”
Reacting, Ohanaeze in a statement on Sunday by its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, stated that Atiku has destroyed what was left of the PDP’s chances in the 2023 election.
Ohanaeze said, “We find it very weird and disappointing that an elder statesman and a presidential candidate, in the person of a one-time Vice Presidential candidate of Nigeria could mount the podium at a public function and play such an ethnic card.
“We are worried that at such a time Nigeria is seeking for a unifier, Atiku is further pushing the country into disintegration; he has shown that he lacks the capacity to lead and unite this country.
“His ambition has already destroyed the PDP and pushed it from number one to third if not fourth force. Now, he wants to bring the same division into the affairs of the country. We ask Nigerians to say no by rejecting him stoutly at the polls.”
Speaking further, they argued that Atiku has proven that he is two-faced considering that he promised to hand over power to the Southeast and within 48hrs he offered the same presidency to Wike.
They insisted that such a man should not be trusted as it seems that his promises are counterfeit.
“For the sake of equity and one Nigeria, Governor Wike’s group should sustain the Ayu Must Go campaign. We are solidly behind the G-5 Governors. Drafting David Mark, Ibori and co to pacify Wike is medicine after death. PDP is out of the 2023 contest, the battle is between Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu,” Ohanaeze added.