A House of Representatives member representing Mnewi North/South/Ekwusigo federal constituency of Anambra State, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, has linked the defections rocking the African Democratic Congress, to former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar’s refusal, to step aside and allow only Southern aspirants contest the party’s presidential primary.

Disclosing this on Channels TV on Tuesday, Mr Uzokwe alleged that he and some stakeholders approached Mr Atiku, to allow former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi; and any other aspirant from the South, to contest the ticket.

According to the lawmaker, Mr Atiku, however, rejected the plea, insisting that he formed the ADC in his house, hence, no one can tell him not to contest the party’s presidential primary.

Mr Uzokwe said, “We left ADC because His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, said that the ADC coalition was formed in his house, it’s his party, and nobody will tell him anything. We went to him and said, ‘Can you step down and let Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, or any other person from the South come to the the field and do primaries?'”

However, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, told the Peoples Gazette on Wednesday, that he was not aware of such decision, and asked him to provide proof for his claim.

He also described the lawmaker’s allegation as irresponsible, saying it was his own way of justifiying his defection from the ADC.

Mr Ibe said, “The constitution guarantees freedom of association, people are at liberty, of their own volition, to join any group they so desire, they are also at liberty to leave, especially when they were no coherced, that is allowed.

“What shouldn’t be allowed, is irresponsibly manufacturing a justification for the position you have taken. He is just justification shopping. I do not recall Atiku ever saying anything about the coalition being formed in his house. 

“He’s the one who was at whatever meeting, we were not privy to that meeting. Let him provide evidence to what it is Atiku said. I don’t think Atiku could’ve said that, he’s too experienced to want to say something like that. I think it is irresponsible for this gentleman to manufacture his justification by maligning other persons.”

Mr Uzokwe was among the 17 reps members announced on Monday by Speaker Tajudeen Abass, who defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, days after Mr Obi and a former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.