The Technical Committee Support group of Atiku, led by Chief Raymond Dokpesi, tendered the unreserved apology to the journalists in a press statement issued on Tuesday, saying the frontline PDP presidential aspirant could not have directed that the media be shut out of the event, seeing that he has enormous respect for the media and its role in the society.
Dokpesi denied the report that the press was prevented from covering Atiku’s consultations with the PDP delegates held at the party’s secretariat in Jos.
He explained that: “What occurred was that on arrival at the Plateau State PDP secretariat in Jos where the former vice-president was to meet with delegates as part of his consultation ahead of the May 28 PDP National convention, it was obvious that journalists were already in the hall, and he wanted to meet with the delegates separately before speaking with them.”
He said that Atiku only pleaded that the media excuse the meeting, and return for interviews after the consultation. He apologised for the manner his security details handled the situation.
The technical committee leader also appealed to journalists not to misinterpret the intention of the former vice-president, saying the media has always been part of his agenda.
While appreciating journalists, he also cautioned against false narratives, and “deliberate moves to blackmail the person of Atiku Abubakar”, saying that must be completely discountenanced by the public.
