PDP campaign: Why Atiku was invited by UK government

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council has explained why Atiku Abubakar, its standard-bearer, visited the United Kingdom.

According to the party’s presidential campaign council, Abubakar was in the UK to “discuss areas of potential future collaboration between Nigeria and the UK”.

TheCable had reported how the party’s candidate travelled to London where he met with officials of the UK government.

Dino Melaye, the spokesperson of the PDP presidential campaign council, had earlier said the former vice-president was invited by the British government.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dele Momodu, director of strategic communications, PDP presidential campaign council said “an internal source is quoted (as) saying an internal poll by the British government shows AA (Atiku Abubakar) as the leading candidate and the possibility of working together for a more effective post-Brexit world which promises to be a win-win for both countries”.

“This is especially imperative as the UK seeks to improve and increase trade partnership with Nigeria,” the statement reads.

But in a separate statement, Momodu said Abubakar’s invitation was not “based on our (PDP’s) knowledge of an internal polling by the British government”.

“We are not aware of any such polling. It is a tradition for foreign governments to seek audiences with leading candidates in a forthcoming election and this is not an exception.

“The two mainstream political parties in Nigeria are PDP and APC and we are truly honoured by this invitation.”

Momodu added that the PDP presidential campaign rallies will resume in Kogi within the week.