Crack in APC as nPDP ‘loses confidence’ in Buhari, considers options

The simmering crisis of division in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be getting to a boiling point as a noticeable split seems to be getting wider.

The party which is made of four main blocs now has one of them considering its options within the union, based on what it feels has been unfair treatment meted out to its members.

The APC was put together in the days leading to the 2015 general elections, in a bid to dismount the then ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) from the seat of power.

It was majorly made up of members from the Congress for Political Change (CPC) led by Muhammadu Buhari; the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) led by Bola Tinubu; All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

They were later joined by some prominent members of the PDP tagged New PDP (nPDP).

However, the sailing has not been smooth as members of the nPDP within the APC recently complained of unfair treatment, and demanded for a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, through the leadership of the party.

Although, members of the nPDP met with the APC leadership to voice its grievances and dissatisfaction with the party, and government of President Buhari, it seems yet to take a decision on its next line of action, even as the 2019 general elections are fast approaching.

Chairman of the now former New PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, made this known in a statement he released on Saturday, in which he also made it revealed that committees had been set up “on various issues especially on how to rescue Nigeria from economic, social, political and especially security challenges”.

He stated that the decision was reached at a well-attended meeting of nPDP members including serving and former governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, “and other aggrieved APC stakeholders”.

Many analysts are however of the view that such a move could just be precursor for members of the nPDP to pull out of the APC union, as they have decided to set up such committees outside the ruling party, and government, of which they should be an integral part.

Some also argue that the decision of the nPDP to independently look into the national issues mentioned, with a view to “rescue Nigeria from economic, social, political and especially security challenges”, may be a subtle pass of vote of no confidence on the Buhari administration.

Baraje’s statement read, “Nigerians may recall that members of the former New PDP Block within the All Progressives Congress (APC) addressed a letter dated April 27, 2018 to the Chairman of APC where we informed the party of our grievances and expectations from both the party and government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

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“Following this development, the party invited us and we honoured their invitation for a meeting. We met with the leadership of the party last week during which we resolved to report the outcome of our meeting to our members and stakeholders before arriving at any decision or proceeding with the next phase of discussions or actions with the APC and government.

“I am glad to inform you therefore that we have briefed our members at a meeting convened in Abuja on Wednesday, 23rd May 2018 where we reviewed the state of the nation and our party, APC and constituted Committees on various issues especially on how to rescue Nigeria from economic, social, political and especially security challenges.

“The meeting was well attended by members of the nPDP including serving and former Governors, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and other aggrieved APC stakeholders.

“Those that attended the meeting include: HE Sen. (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON, President of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, Governor of Sokoto State, Sen. Rabiu M. Kwankwaso, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Admiral Murtala Nyako (Rtd), Sen. Mohammad Adamu Aliero, Sen. Danjuma Goje, Sen. John Owan Enoh, Sen. Emmanuel Andy Uba, Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Gobir, Sen. Rufai Ibrahim, Sen. Ibrahim A. Danbaba, Sen. Suleman Nazif, Sen. Isa Hamma Misau, Sen. Muhammed Ubali Shitu, Sen. Shehu Sani, Sen. Dino Melaye, Sen. Suleiman O. Hunkuyi, Sen. Shaaba Lafiagi, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Sen. David Umaru, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, Alh. Abubakar K. Baraje, Chairman Former nPDP, Rep. Aminu S. Shagari, Rep. Kabiru Marafa Achida, Rt. Hon. Isa M. Ashiru, Hon. Muh’d Musa Soba, Hon. Mark Gbillah, Rep. Sani Mohd Rano, Rep. Garba Umar Durbunde, Rep. Aliyu Madaki, Rep. Zakari Mohammed, Hon. Rufai Ahmed Chachangi, Hon. Razak Atunwa, Hon. Emmanuel M. Udende, Hon. Hassan Saleh, Hon. Nasiru Garo Sule, Hon. Orker Jev, Hon. Aliyu Ahman Pategi, Hon. Isah Halilu B., Hon. Rabiu Garba Kaugama, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, Hon. Ismaila A. Gadaka, Hon. Lado Suleja, Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, Hon. Dr. Bode Ayorinde, Hon. U. Danjuma Shida, Hon. Danburam Nuhu, Hon. Sunday Adepoju, Hon. Sani Zorro, Hon. Ahmed Garba Bichi, Hon. Garba Ibrahim Mohammed and a host of others”.

 

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