Some say Atiku is broke despite boasting of huge financial war chest
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Some in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are blaming Atiku Abubakar for the reported insufficient funds to run the party’s campaign, as his boast of a financial war chest to prosecute the battle for the Villa is making others fold their arms.
“There have been complaints that Atiku is unwilling to release money for campaigns.
“But Atiku once boasted in the presence of some Governors that he has billions of naira to prosecute his campaign. That is why some of them are just looking at him and are not ready to contribute to his campaign,” a South West PDP chieftain said.
“Some Governors are not sure of their chances and are reluctant to open the purse. This might change in the weeks ahead, though.”
The source, who spoke anonymously, dismissed speculation Atiku is broke, saying, “the presidential candidate wants to start releasing money towards the end of the campaign.
“He is learning from the experience of 2019. He lost that election, but he is probably wiser now.
“What I can’t say is whether things will pan out differently this time. He has told those close to him that he will release money at the appropriate time.”
PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor confirmed Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki has been funding the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) in the state.
“I can’t speak of another Governor, but Obaseki has been doing his best, funding the campaign in the state.
“Perhaps, there are other Governors I don’t know of. Everything about the campaign in Edo is being funded by the state chapter,” he said.
The PDP G5 Governors – Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) – may channel their state resources to help one another given their boycott the Atiku/Okowa campaign council.
Wike recently donated 25 buses to the Benue PDP for the 2023 election campaign.
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PDP dismisses report of insufficient funds
The PDP has dismissed as false, reports its PCC Chairman and Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel threatened to quit because of inadequate funds.
“That is fake news. It is not correct, and it is a creation of some people. Governor Udom Emmanuel has even refuted it,” PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba told The PUNCH.
Emmanuel himself told PDP supporters at the Nest of Champions Stadium in Uyo that it is not true he was considering resigning from the PCC.
Delta Information Commissioner Charles Aniagwu also insisted reports of a lack of funds to run the campaign are not true.
But PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) member Ibrahim Tsauri counselled that if indeed Udom complained about insufficient funds, it is an alarm bell.
“If it is true that the Chairman of the campaign council complained about a lack of money, then, there is indeed a problem. Campaigns involve a lot of money because those who travel to Nigeria to talk to Nigerians don’t go by road; they fly.
“Maybe Udom is saying the money is not enough and it is important to look inward.”