APC also reminded Nigerians that Utomi made a similar assertion in 2021, but the party never materialized
By Kehinde Okeowo
The ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) has dismissed claims by Prof Pat Utomi that a merger of the three main opposition political parties is on the way.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the respected political economist confirmed that three of the leading presidential candidates in the February 25, 2023 election are ready to form a merger.
Utomi made this known during an interview with Channels TV, where he said he met with Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso and his preferred candidate, Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
According to him, the trio have agreed to form a formidable party that will sack the APC in 2027.
However, responding to his assertion via a statement made available by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC labelled Utomi’s statement as “an unmitigated delusion of grandeur”.
The party also reminded Nigerians the economist and his collaborators in 2021 disturbed the airwaves with plans to launch a people-centered ideological mega party, which did not go past the news headlines.
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The statement read: “As a serial promoter of mega parties that never materialized, Prof. Pat Utomi’s statement cannot be taken that seriously.
“In 2021, Prof Utomi and his collaborators disturbed the airwaves with plans to launch a people-centered ideological mega party under the auspices of the National Consultative Front (NCFront) to dislodge @OfficialAPCNg and @OfficialPDPNig. That plan did not go past the news headlines.
“Now in 2024, Prof. Utomi is touting a possible collaboration among LP, NNPP and PDP, vastly political parties, according to him, that are bereft of any ideological orientation or did not manage to create an alignment with the Nigerian People to improve the quality of their lives.
“One can only infer that Prof. Utomi may be positing that his personal involvement in the proposed alliance will transform the same parties, he has adjudged to be decadent and anti-people, into bastions of political and economic liberty for Nigerians.
“This is an unmitigated delusion of grandeur.”
