Why Atiku Hasn’t Released Campaign Funds – PDP Chieftain

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has not released campaign funds.

Naija News reports that there are claims that the former Vice President is yet to release funds for his campaign because there is a paucity of funds to organise rallies and meetings across the country.

There is also a claim that the paucity of funds was due to the rift between Atiku and the five aggrieved PDP Governors. They include governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

Reacting to the claims, a member of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Atiku was only being careful to release campaign funds.

The NEC member, who served in the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee, told The Punch that Atiku was being guided by his experience in 2019.

He said, “Atiku was the presidential candidate of the party in 2019. He knew everything that happened; the disbursement of monies to state chapters, support groups, and all that. I think he is being strategic now.”

When asked how the party hopes to fund the campaign, the PDP chieftain added, “That is part of the problem. During consultations, the then aspirant was said to have boasted that the money to run the campaigns was not a problem. Some of our governors are reluctant to make contributions but some have shown support.

“Also, the governors who pulled out of the council have not shown any financial commitment to the campaign but there is a chance this will change if the party succeeds in reconciling with them.”