"I'm Honored To Be Invited Back To PDP By The President" --Atiku

Former vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria and failed
presidential aspirant under the All Progressive Congress [APC], Alhaji
Abubakar Atiku has expressed honor and gratitude bestowed on his
person by the President of the federal republic of Nigeria, Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan in the manner he was invited to return to his
original political party, the People Democratic Party [PDP] by the
President. This is according to information available to
247ureports.com.

The former vice president made his feelings known to his close
associates following President Jonathan's visit to Atiku in Adawama
State recently. He told his close associates that the President found
it necessary to extend arms of friendship to rejoin the the PDP family
- even after the temperament of the political campaign suggested
otherwise. "The president is a perfect gentleman. And I am honored".

He went on to clarify on the reasons he had to turn the President's
invitation down. He explained that he had made miscalculations in the
past over his decisions to leave political parties prematurely only to
return prematurely. "Many were not happy with the decision". Alhaji
Atiku pledged that his decision to align with the APC will be for the
long haul - and not just for the 2015 electoral session.

However a source close to the presidency revealed that the President
may have extend the arms of friendship to the former vice president
based on confidential information available to him which indicates
that there is rancor within he rank and file of the APC - of which
Atiku is believed to be among the highly aggrieved. The source
explains that President Jonathan wanted to exploit the opportunity to
'solidify' the crack within the APC - by his offer to Atiku to return
to the PDP. "The offer was merely tactical". The acknowledges that
although the offer was rejected by Atiku, the objective may have been
accomplished.

Alhaji Abubakar Atiku is believed to have benefited financially from
the Jonathan administration to the tune in excess of N1.2trilion in
oil related contracts - the source claims. The President and Atiku
enjoys a close relationship.
--247ureports