After extensive and painstaking deliberations at a meeting held in Abuja yesterday, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) has revealed why Atiku Abubakar was made the vice-president in 1999.
The PDM, in its communiqué signed by its chairman, Senator Abubakar Mahdi, said because of the frontline role it played in the formation of the PDP along with some other political associations, it was appreciated and compensated with the position of Vice Presidency of the country, amongst other appointments.
The meeting, which was attended by members of the Executive Committee and States Working Committees includes, the first Chairman of the late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s political family, Dr Farouk Abdulazeez, National Chairman of the association, Senator Abubakar Mahdi, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dubem Onyia, former Minister of State for Defence, Mr Murtala Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Chief Onyia Ejiofor, Dr Bala Ahmed Tafida among others.
It said: “Notwithstanding the dubious attempt by some members of PDM, who used the name and acronym of the association to register as a political party with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) using “TORCH” as their logo, PDM (with STAR as logo) remains the association of loyalists and associates of our inimitable political mentor, the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Tafidan Katsina).
“The impression being created in the media that the PDM belonged to the loyalists and associates of the late General Yar’Adua was mischievous and patently wrong.”
It called on the leadership of the PDP to accord more recognition to the association as it continues to act as a binding force in the party which is in line with the political philosophy and legacy of oneness of the late Shehu Yar’Adua.
PDM however set up a five-member Rapid Response Committee under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Shuaibu Y. Abdullahi with Dr Dorncklaimz Enamhe, as secretary, with the responsibility of going round the country to bring back all members of PDM to the association.