The Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel today says he won’t resign as the Chairman of Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign Council because he is a loyal party man.
Udom said this on Tuesday during the flag-off of the governorship campaign in Uyo, the state capital,
He also stressed that he won’t cave in to pressure from certain quarters for him to dump the 2023 presidential ambition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flag bearer (Atiku).
The Governor described as false, reports that he has turned his back on Atiku and his running mate and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.
“I remain the chairman of the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign. I am not going anywhere. They’ve seen that we are coasting home to victory, that is why they are bringing that (rumoured resignation),” Emmanuel said.
Meanwhile, the PDP says it’s presidential flagbearer will hand over to the Igbos after his tenure.
The opposition party said the former vice president has proved to the South-East people that he can be trusted, adding that no other tribe in Nigeria has trusted the Ndigbo and made them direct partners in progress than Atiku.
The PDP Deputy Director of Media and Publicity, Presidential Management Committee, Uloka Chibuike, stated these in a statement made available to journalists in Awka on Tuesday.
He said, “We have more to gain from an alliance with the North than any other region in the country. Atiku has proved to the Igbo man that he can be trusted. No other tribe in Nigeria has trusted the Igbo man and made them direct partners in progress, except Atiku.
“In 2007, against the uproar, he chose an Igbo from Anambra State in the person of Senator Ben Ndi Obi to be his running mate.
“Despite the animosity of many, he chose Mr. Peter Obi as his running mate in 2019 to prove his relationship with Ndi-Igbo.
“Again, despite Ohanaeze’s ban on Igbo politicians accepting the vice presidency in 2023, Atiku chose another Igbo man as his running mate in 2023, promising to hand over power to Ndi-Igbo after his term.
“Atiku has pledged to restructure Nigeria to favour and accommodate Ndi-Igbo and make sure that his successor is from the region. This is not just a promise; he has repeatedly shown that his word is his bond. While others continue to treat Igbo with leprous fingers, Atiku has promised to treat us with respect.”
