2023: Atiku disowns support group soliciting for funds

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has disowned the Atiku Abubakar Business Supporters in Diaspora (AABSID).

The support group was disowned against the backdrop of its decision to raise funds for Atiku for the prosecution of the 2023 presidential election.

In a statement made available to The Star on Tuesday, the Atiku Campaign Organisation stated that the group was sending letter to potential donors and members of the general public inviting donations to the presidential campaign of our candidate.

AABSID, according to statement, promised to facilitate unfettered access to Atiku for the potential donors.

But the campaign organisation stated that the support group is unknown to it and Atiku.

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The statement reads: “The attention of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation (AACO) has been drawn to an undated letter issued under the authority of a “Campaign Coordinator/ President” of a group calling itself the Atiku Abubakar Business Supporters in Diaspora (AABSID).

“This letter is titled “Fundraising Dinner Event for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Presidential Election Campaign 2023” and, apparently, is being sent to potential donors and members of the general public inviting donations to the presidential campaign of our candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in exchange for unfettered access to Atiku Abubakar, among other promises.

“The Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation hereby notifies the general public, particularly Nigerians in the Diaspora as well as corporate organisations within and outside Nigeria, that the AABSID is a body/organisation unknown to our candidate, and neither he nor the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation has authorised any such fundraising event to be held on his behalf nor on behalf of his Campaign Organisation.

“The general public is hereby notified that the aforementioned AABSID is not in any way affiliated or related to Atiku Abubakar and the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, and has not been mandated or authorised in any way whatsoever to represent the candidate or his campaign in any matter whatsoever.

“In line with the foregoing, any person or organisation dealing with the aforementioned AABSID and/or its Campaign Coordinator/President or indeed with any other organization for the purposes of raising funds for our presidential candidate does so at their own risk and responsibility.”

The Star