PDP drops hint it will adopt Atiku as its presidential candidate describing his return as a welcome development

NIGERIA'S main opposition party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) looks all set to give former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar its 2019 presidential ticket after revealing that his adds immense value to its rebuilding process.

Last month, Alhaji Atiku, who served as vice president between 1999 and 2007, left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He had originally been a member of the PDP but was unable to secure its presidential ticket after leaving office and he consequently defected to the APC where in 2014 he was one of its presidential candidates but lost out to President Muhammadu Buhari in the primaries.

With the 2019 elections fast approaching, it appears that President Buhari's aides are urging him to run again, so Alhaji Atiku appears to have no chance of securing the APC ticket. His leaving the APC is seen as a major boost for the PDP, desperate to get back into office and almost certain to make him its presidential candidate.

Now that Alhaji Atiku has formally joined the PDP, Dayo Adeyeye, the party's national publicity secretary said that the former vice president would add value to the process of rebuilding the party for greater heights. He described the return of Alhaji Atiku as a welcome development.

Mr Adeyeye added: “We are indeed glad that he has realised the unbridled lies and deceit of his former party, the APC.  The PDP remains his home, a house he was part of building and which he helped to nurture and we believe his return will add value to the process of rebuilding our party to greater heights.

“This is another milestone recorded by the current leadership of our party in its quest to reconcile, rebuild and restructure the PDP ahead of the 2019 general elections and beyond. We will continue to remain transparent and dedicated to the service of this party,”

In addition, the PDP called on all its members still in the APC or other parties as well as others frustrated in the party to return. According to Mr Adeyeye, anyone who is desirous of a return to the era of abundance and freedom under the PDP administration is welcome.