LP considering merger with PDP but NNPP baulks at the idea
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Proposal by Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday for other parties to merge with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) so they can join hands to robustly stand up to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is being considered by the Labour Party (LP).
It is a good proposal that should be considered, the LP said, but the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) insisted it will only accept it if Atiku would support its presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to head the ticket to take the Villa from the APC in 2027.
That position echoes the general perception that Atiku is merely seeking the backing of other parties with a selfish motive to actualise his own presidential ambition.
He boasted in the last campaign he has to become President first before an Igbo man can smell Aso Rock with his (Atiku’s) support, even though his negative attitude made Peter Obi to leave the PDP to join the LP in June 2022 where he became a force whom youths massively rooted for, and took up the name “Obidients”.
It remains to be seen whether anti-establishment Obidients will be willing to follow Obi to the PDP with him heading its presidential ticket or being deputy to Atiku in 2007. If they desert Obi, he would have lost his brand.
Atiku floated his latest gambit when he hosted the National Executive Committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), saying it is to prevent Nigeria from collapsing into a one party state.
“We have all seen how the APC is increasingly turning Nigeria into a dictatorship of one party. If we don’t come together to challenge what the ruling party is trying to create, our democracy will suffer for it, and the consequences of it will affect the generations yet unborn,” he said.
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LP excited, NNPP scoffs
The LP poured cold water on the idea last year, but it is now music to the ears of its National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, per The PUNCH.
“Atiku’s call is a proposition, and every Nigeria will consider a good proposition that is meant to remove the Octopus in power because they are not democrats,” Ifoh enthused.
“Every Nigerian is interested in having a true democracy. What we have now is far away from democracy. So, if there is a proposition by opposition elements to ensure that democracy is installed, why not?
“That proposition must be given a good thought. Anything that will make Nigerians witness democracy is accepted.”
On the other hand, NNPP Publicity Secretary Yakubu Shendam described Atiku’s call as emotional and as medicine after death.
Said he: “This is like medicine after death. If there is any future collaboration, it should not be as a result of emotions. We are going all along because we have a gladiator who has the capacity to take over Nigeria.
“We believe that there is a need to canvass for support from people to win the election, from all sides. However, we believe that single-handedly Kwankwaso can deliver Nigeria in 2027.
“But that doesn’t mean that we are not looking for players like Atiku to join our party. If there is going to be a merger, it should be with the NNPP, because Atiku is now retiring, so, he should support Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“We don’t want to join forces with people who are under emotions but we are comfortable as a party having a person like Rabiu Kwankwaso, as our national leader.
“We are calling on Atiku as an elder brother to close ranks with Kwankwaso if he wants to be relevant in 2027.”
APC says not threatened by opposition merger
APC Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim said the party is not moved or threatened by Atiku’s call for opposition parties to close ranks to defeat the APC.
His words: “How and why should we [be threatened]? Atiku has been trashed in the courts and trashed in public opinion. In what way does Atiku and his party have the wherewithal to instill threat in the mind of the party in power?
“The PDP, as far as Nigeria is concerned, is inconsequential. Atiku and the PDP do not have the power to instill fear in the ruling party, especially a party that is progressive.”