According to an interview with the Sun on Sunday, April 12, 2026, Senator Athan Achonu, who ran as the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate in 2023, has defended his political affiliation while questioning the track record of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on security matters.
The former candidate alleged that Atiku has been inconsistent in addressing violence affecting Nigerians.
“Atiku has never condemned the killings in Nigeria before. The only time he did, the islamists challenged him and he put down the post,” Achonu claimed, suggesting the PDP presidential candidate retreated from his position under pressure.
The senator clarified that his decision to join the Labour Party was not merely driven by Peter Obi’s presence.
“Because Peter Obi is there? I did not join Labour Party just because Peter Obi was there. It is because I thought it was a clean party,” Achonu stated.
He cited multiple figures whose presence influenced his decision.
“Alex Otti was there, Peter Obi was there and the man who was Peter’s vice (Datti), a man I respect a lot, was also there. It was a clean party,” the former candidate explained, referencing Abia Governor Alex Otti and Datti Baba-Ahmed.
Achonu drew a sharp contrast with the ADC.
“But ADC, I cannot join ADC,” he concluded, reiterating his earlier criticisms of that party’s composition.
His comments underscore divisions within Nigeria’s opposition landscape and ongoing debates about which platforms offer genuine alternatives to the ruling APC….See More
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