Group asks Atiku to apologize to Niger Delta people

Niger Delta Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDCPP), has asked the presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar to apologize to the region over his activities in 2015.

The group, in a statement on Sunday, said Atiku should apologize for denying the region another term at the presidency.

NDCPP noted that the successful hosting of the presidential primary in Port Harcourt is an indication that the region is peaceful under the leadership of a PDP state government.

The group also commended Nyisom Wike, the Rivers state governor and Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta state governor who chaired the Convention Planning Committee, as well as Prince Uche Secondus, PDP National Chairman, for successfully hosting the convention.

According to the group, “Atiku, however, owes the zone and former President Goodluck Jonathan an apology for leaving the PDP in the build-up to the 2015 elections, which denied the region a second term at the Presidency.

“Such apology is necessary, even though the zone has forgiven Atiku,” the statement read in part.

NDCPP said the exit of the presidential candidate from the PDP led to the defeat of the party during the 2019 general election.

“Suffice it to say that the geopolitical zone has always played a pivotal role in the shaping of the character and content of the nation.

“The just-concluded primaries adjudged the best so far, was midwifed by Niger Delta people and hosted in the zone.

“This can be displayed in the key roles great sons and daughters of the region have played in the history of the country.

“Painfully, we all pretend like yesterday never existed, especially those of us who were key actors in disposing of the previous government.

“Today, we must learn to apologize for our wrong deeds to rebuild trust, else everything we present now is on a fallacious foundation.

“Apart from Atiku, we also call on others, including the Senate President Bukola Saraki as well as Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Rabiu Kwankwaso, among others, to tender an apology to the region and former President Jonathan, for denying the region of a well deserved second tenure.

“Their action was due to impatience and misconstrued perceptions, especially since that same government took us from a weak economy to the number one economy in Africa.”