The presidency has said that former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar is on a sabbatical leave in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and very soon he will return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Prof. Rufai Alkali, made this statement in Abuja while receiving members of the 120 Atiku Abubakar Support Groups who formally defected to PDP from APC.
Alkali further said the PDP will warmly receive Atiku when he returns before the general elections because he remains a PDP member.
“Atiku is a PDP man to the core and has gone on vacation. I hope he will come back to the party before the elections and support the president.”
Alkali, however, pleaded with Nigerians to ensure that they have their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the coming election.
On his part, deputy national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who received the group on behalf of the party’s national chairman, assured them of equal opportunities with other members of the party.
He said, “You are all in the right place, and I want to assure you that you have equal rights with those who have been here for long.
“You are free to involve and engage in all the party activities especially at this time when we are on the campaign and election is coming,’’ he said.