23 Governors on the Side of APC After Registration - Lai Mohammed Boasts
Lai Mohammed
The
Action Congress of Nigeria’s spokesperson, Lai Mohammed, said on Friday
that his party’s proposed merger with three other parties into All
Progressive Congress, APC, was already assured of 12 more governors in
addition to the known 11.
The
extra 12 governors, which will bring the number of governors on the new
platform to 23, will emerge after the registration of the party-
expected to be completed in weeks, Mr. Mohammed said.
With
only two other opposition party governors not yet in APC- Olusegun
Mimiko and Peter Obi of Ondo and Anambra States respectively- the bulk
of Mr. Mohammed’s proposed number would therefore appear to be currently
in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
Mr.
Mohammed’s comment appears suggestive of a widely-held perception of
the likelihood of several PDP
governors, disgruntled with the party’s
leadership, exiting in good numbers to the new platform in the months
ahead. The PDP has dispelled such fears repeatedly.
The
ACN Publicity Secretary spoke in Lagos at the 7th Town Hall Meeting of
Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central. He said the 12 governors had
signified interest to join the APC in addition to the 11 already in the
fold.
“The
12 governors will make their declarations after the party has been
registered, possibly in two weeks time. We are likely to get our
registration certificate by the end of June or second week of July,” he
said.
He explained that the delay in submitting the new party’s application to INEC was caused by “the complexity of merging.”
“Merging
is not an easy process, it is complicated. Aside from the name,
constitution and logo change, each of the merging parties must hold
special conventions to adopt the merger,” Mr. Mohammed said. “The merger
forming APC comprises ACN, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All
Grand Progressive Alliance (APGA) and the Democratic People’s Party
(DPP).”
Also
at the event, Remi Tinubu, the wife of former Lagos State Governor,
Bola Tinubu, described APC as “an assurance of hope for Nigeria.”
“Without
the genuine change and development being advocated by our great
movement- APC, Nigeria risks further descent into the abyss of
underdevelopment and backwardness,” she said.
On the bill seeking special status for Lagos, the senator said no effort would be spared to achieve it.
Mrs.
Tinubu disclosed that the three senators from Lagos had sponsored a
bill seeking provision of financial grants to the state in the
constitution, in recognition of its status as the nation’s economic
hub.
