2023: NNPP Slams Atiku Over Anti-Yoruba, Igbo Statement

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has expressed worry over the comment made by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Demoratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, at the weekend.

Speaking with The Punch, NNPP Spokesman,  Agbo Major, said Atiku’s utterance would afford Nigerians the opportunity to tell who the real ethnic jingoists are.

Major said the country’s unity is too fragile for anyone to make divisive comments, stressing that a presidential hopeful shouldn’t be seen making such an ethnic statement.

He said, “My reaction is as good as the outrage of the average Nigerian. Our unity is so fragile and somebody who wants to be president shouldn’t be seen making such divisive statements. It is left for Nigerians to judge.”

Atiku Clarifies Controversial Statement

Meanwhile, Atiku has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of twisting his comments at the Arewa House in Kaduna.

In a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former vice president president said: “For the benefit of the innocent public who might be hoodwinked by the usual behaviour of APC in telling a big lie, what transpired was a direct question to Atiku to address the Northern audience on why he should be voted for by the Northern electorate.

“In answering this question, Atiku started with a joke by addressing the questioner as ‘Mr. Northerner’ which is a veiled criticism of why he limited his question to the Northern audience in the first place.’’