Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of wrecking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with his presidential ambition, saying he should not be allowed to return once others have rebuilt the party.
Olayinka made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday, while reacting to Atiku’s recent exit from the PDP.
Atiku, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, had on Wednesday announced his departure from the party, citing “irreconcilable crises” as the reason. He described the decision as “heartbreaking” and said it took effect from Monday, July 14.
But in a sharp response, Olayinka said Atiku’s ambition had left the PDP in ruins and accused him of abandoning the party after causing lasting damage.
“Today, PDP has been so destroyed and damaged by this one man, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He is now gone,” Olayinka said.
He warned that Atiku should not return if his new political plans fail.
“The first thing I want to say is that when highly-spirited members of PDP come together to rebuild the party, Atiku Abubakar should not come back after he has failed on his new political journey—because he is going to fail,” he declared.
Olayinka stressed the need for the PDP to begin internal restructuring, not just for the sake of the 2027 elections, but to restore the party’s foundation and credibility.
He added that real party loyalists are now focused on rebuilding what has been lost and charting a new course, with or without Atiku.
