The Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term bid.
The leadership of the political group, led by its National Chairman, Senator Abubakar Maadi, met with President Buhari on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja for the endorsement.
PDM is the political family of late Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua who mentored and groomed former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, in politics and business.
In 2013, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registered the PDM as a political party.
Reports suggested that the party was formed by Atiku as a back-up plan in case he was unable to fulfill his rumoured presidential ambitions on the PDP platform in 2015.
In a statement, Atiku had acknowledged that the PDM was founded by his “political associates”, but that he remained a member of the PDP at the time.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Maadi disclosed that the leadership of the PDM met on the 4th of January, 2019 to adopt President Buhari as their candidate in the forthcoming election.
He said that what informed the decision to adopt President Buhari was his integrity and his sincerity towards public service.
Maadi said, “This group is formed since 1987 by Buhari’s late friend and brother, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’adua. We have traversed on the Nigeria political space for too long, we have never seen a president or a leader that is so focused and honest about developing the country and at same time making sure that development is key towards what should take us to the next level in this country.”
Asked whether the PDM was factionalized, he said it was still a movement despite its status as political party.
“There is a different between a political party and a movement. A movement is based on the principles of our founding father. It is our commitment to support the good work that this president is doing,” he said.
Also asked why they did not support Atiku Abubakar who is a member of PDM, he simply said, “We don’t discuss individuals.”
The President had earlier commended the members of the late Gen. Yar’Adua’s political family for remaining committed to the organization over the years.