2023: Atiku Speaks On Long Absence From Nigeria

The former Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed why he stayed away from the country.

The former vice president was rumoured to have relocated to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates after he lost the 2019 presidential election.

Addressing members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting on Thursday, Abubakar denied rumours that his long absence from the country was related to his loss in the 2019 election.

The PDP chieftain stated he travelled to the United Kingdom to study for a Masters Degree in International Relations at Cambridge University.

Abubakar, however, appreciated former President Olusegun Obasanjo for actually recommending him for the course to the institution.

“Many people have wondered where I have been since September last year and it became a matter of rumour among many people and all whatnot.

“I want to say that I was away because I went back to school and I have finished my lectures in May, where I read masters in international relations from Cambridge University.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank our former President Obasanjo for actually recommending me for that course to that university,” he said.

Speaking on the crisis rocking the PDP, Abubakar said the party will overcome its current predicament and come out stronger.

The former vice president added that the PDP will return to power in 2023.

He stated that the PDP will lead to the expectation of Nigerians in the forthcoming election.

“I believe PDP will lead to the expectation of Nigerians because they know us more than any other party because we provided the best governors since the return of democracy to this country. And I believe Nigerians will not forget those good old days.

“Yesterday, people were rejoicing that there is a crisis in the PDP. Today, I don’t know, because they will be crying that the PDP has resolved its own crisis,” he said.