Anyaoku distances himself from Atiku saying he never agreed to attend his book launch

FORMER Commonwealth secretary-general Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has distanced himself from ex-vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s book presentation which implied that he backed his presidential aspiration.

In June, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected Alhaji Abubakar as its flagbearer for next year's presidential election at its annual convention in Abuja. He has since picked Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate and begun campaigning ahead of next February's presidential elections.

Today, Alhaji Abubakar launched his book at the Chida Hotel Events Centre in Abuja and in the run-up to the event, Chief Anyaoku was portrayed as one of his major backers. However, Chief Anyaoku said nobody consulted him, nor did he give his consent that he would attend the book presentation.

In a public statement, Chief Anyaoku reiterated that he was not a politician and he was never asked to attend the event, let alone give his consent. He said: “My attention has been drawn to the announcement in ThisDay Newspaper that I would be a special guest of honour at Atiku Abubakar’s book presentation scheduled for 28th September at Chida Hotel Events Centre in Abuja.

“Given the understandable propensity to read political meanings in public associations at this time of competition by political parties in the context of 2023 national elections, I wish to unequivocally state that nobody sought and obtained my agreement to be present at this particular book presentation. I have accepted the unreserved apologies rendered to me by the organisers of the event and wish to reiterate that I remain non-partisan in praying that my country Nigeria will in 2023 elect people of proven competence and character whose sole mission will be to serve the national interests.”