The Alhaji Baraje Kawu led 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, Chief 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, 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.”

For Chief Eze, “the chemistry between the team and that of APC led by General 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”.

Part of the statement reads:

“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 tranquillity, 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 concluded.

In another development, the nPDP has condemned in strong terms, a second attempt by the police to disrupt its G7 caucus meeting which took place on the eve of 3rd November, 2013, at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where the faction had assembled to review progress reports, accept the reports of committees and take important decisions on the future of the movement.

The Caucus comprises the G7 Governors, former Governors, present and past Senators, past and present members of the Federal House of Representatives, National Working Committee (NWC) members and some elders and stakeholders of the party.

A statement to NF-Reports by Chief Eze Chukwemeka Eze, the National Publicity Secretary of the nPDP revealed what transpired during the meeting

Excerpt:

“Sadly, midway into the meeting, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Asokoro Police Unit, CSP Nnanna Ama, burst into the scene and ordered the meeting stopped, threatening to mobilize troops to abort it if his order was not obeyed.

“According to CSP Ama he has the directive from the Villa to arrest the Governors if the meeting is not stopped. For a DPO to be sent not only to disrupt meeting of Governors duly elected by Nigerians but to arrest them if they fail to heed his counsel is a sign that these people can decide to disrupt the association of any group of Nigerians at any time knowing that such an act is a breach of the Constitution of our country.  Not minding all our past complains about the impunity and disregard of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by our Security organs and it is saddening that the Federal Government has continued to maintain stoic silence and bluntly refused to call our security agencies to order accordingly. To us, this is one of the wonders of the present administration in Nigeria. What is baffling to us the more is the continuous silence of our elders and past Heads of State on these various acts of impunity perpetuated by this administration knowing the grave danger such acts will lead this country to. Let it not be assumed that we are the only one to suffer for this desperation and frustration by some of these misguided elements in this administration as they will go after other Nigerians if they are not called to order on time.

“Though before the arrival of CSP Ama, the Governors have gone very far in their deliberations as the meeting has considered the Mobilisation/Contact Committee’s recommendations on how to receive the five new Governors joining the group and directed the NWC of the party to set in motion machinery to receive the new entrants. The NWC was also directed to critically examine the available options and recommend to the Caucus the platform to be used for the 2015 general elections. The Caucus is to deliberate on this during its next meeting to be held immediately after the proposed peace talks with President Goodluck Jonathan. The options to be considered include; remaining in PDP or adopting any of the three other options, namely, accepting the proposal of APC or joining PDM, VOA or form a new political party.

“The Caucus also noted the majority request that seeing that we have majority of our members in the National Assembly and majority of the Governors, the idea of waiting for the meeting with Mr. President before deciding our future is no longer ideal in view of the lukewarm attitude of “Mr. President and his lieutenants in restoring peace to the party and refusal to attend to most of our demands. The Caucus decided to give the President some weeks grace before finally deciding on the next line of action.

“The Caucus also stated total displeasure at the lack of reasonable effort to sort out the lingering ASSU/FG face-off which has kept our children at home for over four months. It counselled the Federal Government to urgently arrest this ugly incident by declaring a state of emergency in the education sector to enable the Government meet up with the demands of ASUU.

“The Caucus concluded by encouraging members to continue to keep faith with the leadership of the party at this trial period, fully aware that it is only a matter of time before we take a final decision that will auger well for our nascent democracy and the nation at large.

“Governors Aliyu Babangida of Niger, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto and Abdulfatai Ahmed of Kwara State could not make it to the meeting due to urgent state matters but sent their apologies, which were accepted by the Caucus. Others that attended include Danjuma Goje (Gombe State); and Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa State).Others included the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje; Deputy Chairman Sam Sam Jaja; National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and Vice-Chairman, North-West, Ibrahim Kazuare, among others”.