APC crisis set to worsen as nPDP quits dialogue with govt

Dialogue between the Federal Government and members of the former New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 may have hit the rocks.

In a statement signed and released by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje on Monday, he listed Senate President Bukola Saraki’s current travails and other several alleged injustice against members of the nPDP have continued to suffer in this administration despite ongoing reconciliation efforts between its members and the presidency.

The statement read, “The public may recall that there have been ongoing talks between members of the former nPDP, the APC and the Presidency in recent days.

“Nigerians may further recall that a team from the former nPDP led by Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and four others, were to meet with the Vice President, His Excellency Prof Yemi Osinbajo today.

“However, while we are truly and earnestly committed to achieving reconciliation, harmony, truce and cohesion in the APC as we approach the 2019 general elections, it is appears that the Presidency is not interested in the talks and that they may have been negotiating in bad faith.

“We were alarmed that immediately after our meeting with the Vice President last week, the presidency misrepresented what transpired at the meeting by trying to blackmail some of the principal actors involved in the discussions in a national daily.

“Similarly, the leadership of the party (APC) went ahead to ratify all the congresses from ward, local governments, states and zonal where many of our members have complaints, effectively presenting us with a fait accompli.”

Speaking further Baraje said that the persecution of members of the nPDP using state security apparatus have continued unabated.

“We recognize the powers of the Police to conduct criminal investigations but by rushing to the public with the issue even when they have unfettered access to the leadership of the National Assembly suggest an attempt to undermine, caricature and humiliate the institution of the legislature.

READ ALSO: OFFA ROBBERY: Police sings different tune, asks Saraki not to appear but reply to allegations in writing

”It appears that there is a fouled and toxic atmosphere and environment of intimidation and threat to life in which we now find ourselves which may no longer be conducive for members of the former nPDP to continue with the talks. Given the unfolding events in the last 24 hours, where the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and His Excellency, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, the Executive Governor of Kwara State , both of whom attended the meeting with the Vice President on Monday 28 May, 2018 ,have suddenly been accused of sponsoring armed robbery by the Police under the directives of the Presidency.

“Similarly, on Saturday, June 2nd, 2018, the Department of State of Services (DSS) also suddenly withdrew more than half of all the security details attached to the presiding officers of the National Assembly under questionable circumstances,” he said.

He added that the nPDP leadership has decided to “brief our members on the unfortunate development and get a fresh mandate if good faith returns to the discussions.”

 

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