PDP postpones presidential rallies due to Atiku’s absence

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed it will no longer hold its presidential rallies in Ekiti, Kebbi, and Bayelsa State as earlier scheduled. A terse statement issued on Friday morning by the party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO) revealed that the postponement of the electioneering campaign is related to the absence of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who is currently in the United States.

The PCO Director of Field Operations for the party, Umar Bature, noted that new dates for the PDP presidential rallies in Ondo, Kebbi, Ekiti, and Bayelsa would be communicated to all stakeholders once they were fixed.

“This is to formally inform all Management of the PCO that in view of our Candidates’ trip to the United States, our Presidential Rallies earlier scheduled for Ekiti, Ondo, Kebbi, and Bayelsa States will no longer hold as scheduled.

“New dates will be communicated once they are fixed. All inconveniences regrettable,” the statement noted.

Recall that  Abubakar left Nigeria to campaign in the United States of America. The former Vice President touched down at the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York before traveling to Washington D.C on Thursday evening.

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Despite reports in 2018 that he would be unable to enter the United States, Atiku was received by the Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; Minority Leader, Ndidi Elumelu and Senator Dino Melaye. Others present are former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka; former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha; former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri, Atiku’s media aide, Phrank Shuaibu, and some PDP chieftains, amongst others.

The visit to the United States was significant because it dispelled any suspicions that Atiku could not travel to the United States. The PDP presidential flagbearer also commenced a weeklong electioneering campaign in the US, where he will meet with Nigerians and members of the business sector. According to The Punch, Atiku would meet with Nigerians in the Diaspora as well as PDP members in North America as part of his programs and engagements while in the US.