By Dirisu Yakubu

ABUJA—As speculations trail the next move by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, following his resignation from All Progressives Congress, APC, it has been confirmed that, contrary to some reports, the erstwhile number two man is yet to return to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Last week, Atiku had met with party stakeholders in the North-East Zone few hours after his resignation from APC became public.

•Atiku

As a result, there were rumours and insinuations had it that the meeting was held preparatory to his return to PDP.

However, in the words of the National Vice Chairman, PDP North-East Zone, Ambassador Emmanuel Njiwah, the meeting of the party stakeholders with Atiku had nothing to do with the speculations surrounding his plan to return to the party.

In a telephone conversation with Vanguard, Ambassador Njiwah said he, alongside other party chieftains, were invited by the Adamawa State Chairman of the party to give the ex-Customs boss a befitting welcome to the zone of his birth.

He said: “I was invited along with other PDP chairmen and leaders in the North-East by the Chairman, PDP Adamawa State Chapter, to welcome Atiku home after his resignation from APC.

“You will recall that Alhaji Atiku is one of the founding fathers of PDP. So, we believe this was the least we could do for him.”

Asked if the party is not preparing grounds to receive the ex-Vice President, the zonal chair was evasive, but added that at the appropriate time, Atiku’s decision will be made known to Nigerians.

His words: “Of course, we want him to return to PDP. We told him so and he informed us that he will make his decision known very soon on which of the existing political parties he will be joining.

“I can assure you that just as he has promised, that decision will soon be.”