Nemesis catches up Atiku as Jonathan turns him down – Report

Abubakar Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed in his bid to have former president Goodluck Jonathan support his presidential ambition.

TheCable is reporting that Atiku had urged Jonathan’s intervention in resolving the crisis between the party and the five aggrieved governors,led by Rivers State’s Nyesom Wike. The governors of Oyo, Seyi Makinde; Abia, Okezie Ikpeazu; Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Benue, Samuel Ortom had vowed not to support Atiku’s presidential gambit.

“Sources familiar with the Thursday night meeting said that Atiku told Jonathan he was worried the former president had not been participating in the affairs of the PDP as the presidential election draws near,” it was claimed.

It was also said that Jonathan told Atiku the party had not shown him any respect and had failed to invite him to its Board of Trustees’ meetings.

“The party has never accorded him the respect of involving him in its activities. Now that presidential election is close by, Dr Jonathan has suddenly become important.”

“Jonathan reportedly reminded Atiku that he supported him fully in his presidential bid in 2019 but the candidate stopped picking his calls after getting the ticket.

“More so, those nominated by Dr Jonathan into the 2019 presidential campaign council were not appointed. Not a single nominee of his was picked,” the source was quoted as saying.

Atiku was said to have told Jonathan he was not aware of the development and that he would check with the party leadership.

The sources were also quoted as saying that this might be a pay back by Jonathan, whose re-election in 2014 Atiku had opposed.

Atiku, who visited Jonathan along with his running mate Ifeanyi Okowa, reportedly left Jonathan’s residence without achieving his goal.