The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is a symbol of national unity, cohesion and tolerance.

This is contained in a statement by PDP national publicity secretary Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Sunday.

“For clarity and avoidance of doubt, Abubakar remains a Pan-Nigerian leader. He has never and will never set any part of our country against the other as being mischievously hyped,” said the PDP spokesman, explaining the comments by Mr Abubakar at a stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna on Sunday.

“To set the record straight, the PDP presidential candidate, in responding within the context of the question put to him at the event, noted that he had built bridges across the country and that what Nigerians, including an average northerner, need was a Pan-Nigerian leader and not an ethnic champion,” the PDP statement said.

It added, “The party, therefore, calls on all Nigerians to remain focused on the PDP’s mission to rescue, reunite, rebuild and restore our nation on the path of peace, national cohesion and economic prosperity, which the Atiku/Okowa presidential ticket represents.”

(NAN)