Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, was in Adamawa state on Saturday to welcome defectors into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Atiku, Nigeria made a mistake by putting the All Progressives Congress (APC) in power in 2015 and will have a chance to remove the party from power in 2023, he said while speaking at a reception for the new PDP members in the state capital, Yola.

Atiku, who believes that the current All Progressives Congress (APC) is Nigeria’s biggest mistake, stated, “We have done a big mistake before by floating a party called APC. But from today, I’m calling on you Adamawa people to leave your parties and join PDP because it is the future and the masses’ party.

”It was PDP that gave back life to Adamawa State after it was slain by the APC and usher it to its present state of development.

“Our schools are now better and our health institutions are in superb shape. I pray that this event will mark the beginning of the internment of the party (APC).”

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri were joined by prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Kobis Ari Thimnu, a former Secretary to the Adamawa State Government; Chief Daniel Bwala; Sali Bodes; Umar Bello Calculate; Nedo Geoprey; and Philip Gutuwa, who were all welcomed by Atiku and Governor Fintiri at the popular Ribadu Square in Yola.

Governor Fintiri promised the defectors that they would be treated properly and that they would be provided with an equal playing field.

Fintiri said, “I want all of you to give the new defectors the needed cooperation and level playing field as we have no stranger in the party.

”Allow those who want to contest among them to participate in the electoral process and they should be well accommodated and given a level playing ground. But let those who lose election remain in the party because we will not be happy with people whose aims are only to contest election under our platform.”

Kobis Thimnu and Umar Jada, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, stated that they quit the APC because of the party’s poor performance.