The Abubakar Baraje Kawu-led new PDP says the increasing closeness between leaders of the New Peoples Democratic Party (New PDP) and those of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised questions in the minds of many Nigerians and fuelled speculations on the possible merger of the two parties.
The faction in a statement by its National Publicist, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze said, “Speculations along this line have heightened since last Tuesday’s inauguration of the Sokoto State University, where both APC and New PDP put up a strong presence, with our National Chairman, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, leading a high-powered team that included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governors Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Musa Kwankwaso of Kano, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Sule Lamido of Jigawa; as well as our National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Osun State governor, to the event.”
For Eze, “the chemistry between the team and that of APC led by General Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu was indeed unmistakable. The APC leaders have since then intensified the lobby for a marriage between both parties, even visiting some of our governors to directly invite them to join their party”.
The statement reads further, “All these visits on our State Governors simply demonstrates how new status in the politics of Nigeria as the new Bride of Nigeria Politics and we hope to play the role as expected of us as we hold the key to Aso Rock come 2015.
“Some have interpreted this to mean that a political marriage may be imminent between the New PDP and APC. While nothing is impossible in politics, it is necessary to state that we have not at this point closed the door on the on-going negotiations between us and President Goodluck Jonathan, who is also the National Leader of our great party, PDP, the reformation of which is our preoccupation for now.
“However, even though we remain hopeful that wise counsel would prevail and our demands would be granted by the PDP, we, at the same time, feel comfortable in the company of APC since we share the same goal of rescuing our dear country, Nigeria, from the edge of the precipice and putting her firmly on the path of sustainable development.
“The presence of APC and PDP leaders in large numbers at the Sokoto State University inauguration is a positive development which raises hope for our fledgling democracy. It is a good example of politics of tolerance and cooperation which we consider necessary if the country is to experience peace and tranquility, without which there could be no development.
“We heartily congratulate the administration of His Excellency, Governor Aliyu Wamakko, a good Ambassador of our great party, the PDP, on this laudable achievement, and pray that Sokoto State University does not only experience a smooth take-off but also develops into a model centre of academic excellence”, Eze stated.
