Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has denied claims that he plans to leave the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Atiku’s media aide, Abdulrasheed Shehu, addressed the speculation on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the information was false and intended to mislead the public.
“Disregard the misinformation! Atiku Abubakar has neither joined nor is joining the SDP. This baseless speculation is a deliberate attempt to mislead,” Shehu wrote.
The rumors surfaced following reports of Atiku’s increasing political interactions with former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Some sources suggested that politicians and their allies might be considering a political shift due to ongoing tensions in their respective parties.
El-Rufai has been at odds with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and has publicly voiced his frustration with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stated that he might leave if the party drifts too far from its original principles, but not for the PDP.
With the PDP facing internal leadership struggles, speculations have grown that the SDP could become a new platform for Atiku and El-Rufai.
However, Atiku’s camp has clarified that he remains with the PDP and has no intention of defecting.
