Atiku: Blame Amaechi for my absence at rallies

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president of Nigeria, has accused Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers state, of being part of the reasons why he has not been actively involved in the presidential campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku, who was named the vice-chairman (north) of APC campaign council, made his first appearance at the campaign rally of Muhammadu Buhari, the party’s presidential candidate, on January 28, weeks after Buhari flagged-off the exercise.

Attributing his long absence to a trip abroad, Atiku promised to be committed to the course of ensuring the opposition party emerges victorious.

“The duty of participating in the process of change, which our great party, the APC is committed to, supersedes every other consideration,” he had said.

“For me, participating in this campaign is a call to national duty. It is a duty which we cannot afford to compromise upon and we must press into the consciousness of those at the helms of affairs.”

Despite the promise, he has not been participating in activities bothering around Buhari’s election bid, fuelling belief in some quarters that he was not committed to the party.

However, in an interview with BBC on Friday, Atiku alleged that Amaechi, who is the director-general of the campaign, has not been consulting him.

“I made it clear to Rotimi Amaechi, the campaign DG, that if you don’t consult or invite me, you will not see me,” he said.

“I am not a light weight politician, whoever needs my presence should extend invitation to me.”

After losing the bid to secure the party’s presidential ticket, Atiku conceded defeat, promising to work with Buhari.

But recent activities have raised concern for the opposition party.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which Atiku is a founding member of, has been trying to woo him over.

Earlier in the week, President Goodluck Jonathan visited the residence of the former vice-president in Yola, Adamawa state, and a day after the visit, 120 groups claiming to be loyal to him defected to the camp of Jonathan.

Atiku subsequently denied the groups and also discredited the report that he was about leaving APC.

“I believe you have seen the mischievous reports that I am leaving APC, they are false,” he said in a statement issued by his media office.

“When I toured our country and listened to the hopes, fears and expectations of Nigerians from all walks of life, I said the APC is the final bus stop, and that it is the end of the line. Because it is for me.

“As a patriot and democrat, I’m always seeking what is best for Nigeria. I did that when we built the great assemblage of the finest men and women under the umbrella of the PDP to get rid of the generals; I did that when I left and returned to the PDP, and I did that when I helped to turn the APC into a serious opposition party.

“Some say I’m a PDP man to the core: I’m asking you, what does this even mean? What is the PDP?”

“You know where I stand: I want a competitive democracy, true federalism, a government that creates conditions for people and businesses to thrive, and keeps out of business and people’s lives, and I want a country that is united and proud of its diversity.

“Do you think this is what the PDP stands for and do you think this is what the APC can deliver?”