The Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) is in trouble again as top members of the party have abandoned it and
pitched their tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Top PDP chieftains that have
abandoned the umbrella party include former information minister Dr. Jerry Gana
, former education minister Tunde Adeniran and former Niger Delta minister,
Godsday Orubebe.
The Nation reports that the party
chieftains are moving to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) which is merging
with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Peoples Salvation Party (PSP) to form
a formidable party ahead of next year’s elections.
The aggrieved party chieftains
launched into a marathon meeting/negotiation with the leadership of SDP on
Thursday night in Abuja for a merger.
The meeting ended early yesterday
with the the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the coalescing group
at Ladi Kwali Hall in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.
Joining Gana from the PDP are a
former Military Administrator of Katsina State, Sen. Joseph Akaagerger; a
former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe; Chief Mike
Oghiadhome, who was a former Chief of Staff to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan;
ex-Governor Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State; and ex-Minister of Defence, Dr. Olu
Agunloye and a former Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Dare
Emiola.
Also teaming up with SDP are a
former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Junaid Mohammed; Sen. Bassey
Ewa Hensaw; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Olamide Oni; Supo
Shonibare (South-West Zonal chairman of SDP), Hon. Dipo Olaitan (a former
leader of the Alliance for Democracy in the House of Representatives); a former
Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Kehinde Ayoola; Amb. Yemi Farounbi;
leaders of the Middle Belt Forum; Mr. John Dara; the leaders of the National
Intervention Forum led by Dr. Tafawa Balewa; Amb Bejide; Shehu Gabam.
A highly placed source in the
group was quoted as saying: “As a matter of fact, Mantu propped up the name of
a party which should be included in the merger but it was rejected. He attended
the initial meeting but by the time the MoU was signed, he was not there.
“We are hopeful that he will be
at our subsequent meetings. Some of our leaders are suspecting that Mantu may
chicken out because he has been begging Adeniran and Gana not to leave PDP.”
Jointly signed by Falae (for SDP)
and Prof. Gana (for Movement for a New Political Order), the MoU reads in part:
“Whereas on the 12th Day of February 2018, ajoint resolution was adopted at
Sheraton Hotel Abuja, for working together to ensure the emergence of a new and
credible political order to deepen democracy, good governance and genuine
development, with peace, security and social justice. The said meeting also
unanimously resolved to build: ‘A restructured, balanced equitable and truly
functional Nigerian Federation, ”a umane, free, seIf-reliant and democratic
society; ‘a dynamic, productive, transformed and sustainable economy; ‘a just,
fair, egalitarian and peaceful nation, ‘a land of bright and full of
opportunities for all Nigerians; and, a national culture of raising good
leaders through effective mentoring;
“Whereas, it was also agreed that
the proposed movement shall be directed, driven and defined by such core values
as: Justice, fairness, equity and progress; Democracy, good leadership, good
governance and sustainable development; Transparency, integrity, truth and
honour;
“Accountability and zero
tolerance for corruption; Respect for human dignity, human rights and sanctity
of human life;; and Peace, security, harmony, cooperative solidarity, within
the rule of law; and International cooperation for a common humanity within a
secure and peaceful order.
“Whereas, the movement further
resolved to be inspired and motivated by the ideals of social democracy, with
great emphasis on: the triumph of social justice; the nobility of human
dignity; the harmony of fairness and equality; the power of working together in
solidarity; the excellence of good governance, driven by good leadership; the
wisdom of reforms and transformation far beyond mere growth; the horror of
poverty, demanding eradication; the dignity of prosperity; the imperative of
democracy and the security of peace with justice
“Whereas with due reference to
these objectives, core values, and ideals, a Strategy Committee was mandated to
search for a suitable, popular, meaningful and widespread platform, with a name
that already resonates with the people and to make appropriate recommendations;
and
“Whereas, the Strategic
Committee, comprising representatives from all the six geopolitical zones of
the Federation, have met and submitted their report, unanimously recommending
the adoption of Social Democratic Party(SDP) vehicle by the movement for a new
political order:
“Therefore, we hereby resolutely
agree to: (a) Fuse together into one political form; (b) adopt the Social
Democratic Party(SDP) as the political vehicle for the fused political
formation; (c) Convene a non-elective convention for Saturday, 14th April,
2018; (d) authorize the National Working Committee to serve as the Interim
Management Committee until the said convention; Set up a National Steering
Committee of 12 members to guide the Interim Management Committee during the
transition period; Raise a Constitution Review Committee to consider all
necessary amendments to the party constitution.”
Reacting to the development,
elder statesman, Dr. Junaid Mohammed said: “Those involved in SDP are the
Peoples Redemption Party(PRP), Peoples Salvation Party(PSP), the Social
Democratic Party(SDP) and some elements of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). It was
like a merger but we do not want to call it so because the All Progressives
Congress(APC) has destroyed the concept of merger.
“I am an optimist, I believe SDP
will make a great impact. The main reason I want to be associated with it is
because it is ideologically driven. Even it was not ideologically driven
before, it has to be ideologically driven.”
Asked if some governors and
National Assembly members have subscribed to SDP, Mohammed added: “It is not
compulsory to have governors or members of the National Assembly in a party to
succeed. There are about 65 to 67 parties thereabout in the country. In terms
of electoral performance, most of the parties are not on ground. The two
parties which have led the country are not doing well. They have impacted negatively
on the economy and our political life. A three-party or a four or five -party
system will be better.”
POLITICAL TRANSFER WINDOW IS OPEN IN NIGERIA............l am watching
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