Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said while he remains a loyal PDP member, he cannot dissuade any of his followers from seeking another platform to promote their programmes.
Abubakar, following press enquiries on the reported registration of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), said he did not have the right to stop others from associating or seeking registration for new parties.
While acknowledging that many of his political associates were involved in registering the PDM, Abubakar said he had no powers to stop adults with common interests from coming together to form a party.
He also noted that many of his political associates were equally members of political parties other than the PDP.
According to him, freedom of association, as enshrined in the constitution, was the beauty of democracy.
Political analysts recalled the active role of the PDM in the democratic transition from the Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha and Abubakar Abdulsalami administrations.
The PDM platform, founded by the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, provided the impetus for his performance across the country during the September 1992 presidential primaries, which were later cancelled by the military regime.
Political observers also noted that the choice of Abubakar as running mate to Obasanjo in 1999 was a recognition of the active role of the PDM structure in his victory.
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Politics