‘We have unmistakable chemistry’: Baraje-led PDP faction hints at merger with the APC
The budding relationship between members of the new faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been further confirmed as the Baraje-led faction has been credited with saying that it feels “more comfortable” with the APC.
The faction reportedly declared this yesterday while stating that it shares a like mind with the APC as they both share the common desire of freeing Nigeria and setting her on the path to growth and development.
The new friendship between the two groups as can be deduced from the accolades they have showered on each other in recent times and a series of meetings, including the visit of APC stalwart Bola Tinubu to Sokoto State, have led to rumours of a partnership between the two and even the eventual defection of the “New PDP” members.
The Nation Newspaper reports:
Yesterday’s declaration is coming on the heels of the visit last week of the leadership of the APC to four of the aggrieved G7 PDP governors, who they urged to team up with the opposition party to defeat the PDP.
The APC leadership team, which included Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola
Ahmed Tinubu, visited Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko, Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso, Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako.
In a statement yesterday, the spokesman of the New PDP, Chukwuemeka Eze, said:
“The presence of APC and New PDP leaders in large numbers at the Sokoto State University’s inauguration was a positive development, which raised 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 tranquillity, without which there could be no development.”
The faction, however, stated that its romance with the APC is without prejudice to the ongoing negotiation between it and the Bamanga Tukur- led PDP.
It nevertheless expressed the hope that wise counsel would prevail in the protracted peace talks between the Baraje and the Tukur factions, with the latter meeting the conditions stated by the former.
Relishing its relationship with the APC, the Baraje faction continued: “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.
“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.
“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, Alhaji 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, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Osun State governor, to the event.”
“The chemistry between the team and that of APC, led by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju 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.
“All these visits on our state governors simply demonstrate our new status in the politics of Nigeria as the new bride of Nigerian politics. And we hope to play the role as expected of us, as we hold the key to Aso Rock come 2015.”
