Okowa, PDP Governors, NWC, Party Leaders Boycott Atiku’s ‘World Press Conference’

By Reporter

In what appeared a crack in the ranks of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and that of Atiku Abubakar, prominent leaders of the Party refused to attend yesterday’s ‘World Press Conference’ called by the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Conspicuously missing were members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including the PDP Acting National Chairman, Amb Umar Damagum. Also, not a single NWC member turned up for the much anticipated event. The situation Midwest Herald learnt, alluded to the delay of the briefing.

Also missing were the 13 PDP Governors, National Assembly members, from both the Senate and House of Representatives members elected on the platform of PDP. They failed to honour Atiku’s invitation.

When news men asked why members of the NWC did not attend, Ologunagba who spoke through the telephone, said he was not in the position to speak for other members.

The PDP chairman, Damagum did not pick calls to his telephone, despite repeated calls.

When newsmen arrived at the national secretariat of the party after Atiku’s event, it was discovered that none of the NWC members showed up in their offices yesterday.

Some leaders who were present during the event failed to give reason for the absence of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, immediate governor of Delta State and the PDP Vice Presidential candidate to the embattled Atiku.

Those present were pro-Atiku PDP chieftains, including the suspended PDP national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and a former chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

Others were a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi; a former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka; a former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa; a former PDP National Secretary, Senator Ben Obi; and a former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki who walked in at the tail end of Atiku’s press briefing.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, told a reporter via telephone call, at the venue that he was not around at the time of the press briefing by the party’s presidential candidate.

Midwest Herald correspondent was told by a member of the NWC that Atiku has been asked to drop his appeal at the Supreme Court, but went ahead with his plan. “We cannot allow one person to decide for the party. PDP is bigger than any one individual.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC), on the other hand, has said that, Atiku is suffering from multiple electoral losses over his push for the nullification of President Bola Tinibu’s victory.