Progressives Congress will meet on Monday to discuss statements credited to the
Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan, as regards the 2019
presidential election.
Besides discussing the minister’s declaration of
support for former VP Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition, the NWC would also
deliberate on a statement credited to Atiku himself.
Alhassan had, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on
Wednesday, said she was ready to support the former vice-president against
President Muhammadu Buhari if they both choose to run for the 2019 presidential
election.
She also said she respected Buhari, but Atiku remained her
godfather.
Alhassan, in the interview, also confirmed her statements in a
leaked video, where she endorsed the former vice-president in a private meeting
with him.
Atiku, had on the Hausa Service of Voice of America, said that
the APC sidelined him after helping it to win the 2015 elections.
It was
learnt that the National Working Committee would deliberate on these issues in
Abuja on Monday with a view to resolving them.
This development was
confirmed by the APC National Vice Chairman, North-East, Mustapha Salihu, in a
telephone interview with Punch in Abuja on Friday.
He explained that the
issue at stake was a national one, which the party’s NWC would look
into.
He stated, “This is a national issue. I think by Monday, we will
sit and we will address the matter, but I can assure you that there is no cause
for alarm. Our party is intact and on ground.”
…I stand by what I said
– Atiku
In response, Atiku who spoke through the Head of the Atiku Media
Office, Mazi Paul Ibe, said he stood by what he said.
Ibe said, “His
Excellency, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stands by what he said. There
is no point beating about the bush, how can anyone equate a private meeting with
a meeting of party organs?
“When was the last time the party organs
held any meeting? Has the Board of Trustees or what they call the Elders’
Council been inaugurated? When was the last time stakeholders and party leaders
invited him to a meeting? The Wazirin Adamawa spoke as a lover of this
country, democracy and the party.
“People who are not too conversant with
history as far as democracy is concerned in this country may cast aspersions on
the former Vice- President for stating the obvious. The party should do the
needful.”
