‘New PDP’ faction backs Buhari, APC

A faction has emerged in the camp of ‘new PDP’ (nPDP), a group of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) between 2013 and 2014 ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The bloc played a major role in dislodging the PDP from power.

The group joined the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to form APC.

But last week, Kawu Baraje, chairman of the nPDP, listed some grievances of the group and demanded an urgent meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, issuing a seven-day ultimatum after which there would be consequences.

The letter he co-signed with Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Oyinlola resigned his membership of the APC less than 24 hours after the letter was submitted at the APC headquarters in Abuja and relinquished his position as chairman of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Things took a different turn on Monday when a faction of the nPDP dissociated itself from Baraje faction.

The splinter group led by Abdullahi Adamu, a senator from Nasarawa State, also refuted the alleged marginalisation of nPDP members, saying the APC had been magnanimous in the distribution of positions and offices to the various blocs that combined to form the ruling party.

Addressing a press conference at the party secretariat in Abuja on Monday, Adamu faulted Baraje’s petition.

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He alleged that it was filled with contradictions, arguing that the nPDP is adequately represented in the executive, legislature and judiciary.

He enumerated the key appointments of stakeholders of the nPDP as follows: Bukola Saraki, Senate President; Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Adamu Aliero; Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs; Aliyu Wamako, Chairman, Senate Committee on Education; Rabiu Kwankwaso, Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning; and Danjuma Goje, Chairman Senate committee on Appropriation.

Others are: Abdulaziz Nyako, Chairman Senate Committee on Special Duties;  Andrew Uchendu, vice-chairman of a senate committee; Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State; Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor Kano State; Abdulfatah Ahmed, Governor of Kwara State; Jibrilla Bindow, Governor, Adamawa State; Atiku Bagudu, Governor of Kebbi State; and Baraje, whom he listed as a board chairman.

The nPDP did not statethe specific consequence if the meeting with the president failed to hold.

So far, Buhari has not responded to the petition.

 

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