A member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is not willing to provide finance for electioneering campaigns at the moment.
Grapevine reveals that Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State was considering his resignation as the Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council over lack of campaign funds.
While speaking on Tuesday during the flag-off of the governorship campaign in Uyo, Emmanuel debunked reports of his resignation.
According to a South-West PDP chieftain who did not want his name in the print said he is aware that funding issue would come up.
He disregarded reports that Atiku’s financial strandedness, noting that the presidential candidate would only would funds at the twilight of the campaign.
The PDP chieftain maintained that Atiku deserves blames for the speculation because of his rift with the aggrieved governors.
He said Atiku once boasted in the presence of some governors that he had billions of naira to prosecute his campaign.
He said, “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 had 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.
“Some governors are not sure of their chances and are reluctant to open the purse. This might change in the weeks ahead, though.
“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.”
