APC merger update: Why Govs Aliyu and Lamido chose to remain in the PDP

by ‘Jola Sotubo

Babangida Aliyu

The defection of some members of the Abubakar Baraje-led  faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to generate ripples in the nation’s political atmosphere.

[READ:How the G-7 governors merged with the APC (See Photos)]

The development was made even more controversial by the fact that two of the seven aggrieved governor members of the faction, Babangida Aliyu of Niger and Sule Lamido of Jigawa, declared that they had no intentions of leaving the PDP.

[READ: APC merger update: I have not left PDP – Babangida Aliyu says]

Governor Aliyu’s stance was the most shocking as he had been proclaimed leader of the aggrieved governors. However, his reluctance to leave the PDP can be traced back to a statement he made chastising the APC for rushing him and his colleagues into making a decision about leaving the PDP.

[READ:‘Be patient, don’t rush us,’ Babangida Aliyu tells APC leaders in Niger]

It has been said that Governor Aliyu has decided to remain in the PDP for the purpose of securing his political future.

Governor Lamido on the other hand is reportedly being strong-armed into remaining in the ruling party due to the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into his sons’ affairs.

The Tribune reports:

Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, in a statement said his principal was shocked “at the announcement of the merger of New PDP and APC, even before a final decision was taken on the matter.”

Ndayebo said Aliyu was not present at the meeting where the merger deal was sealed between the New PDP and APC leaders as widely reported by the media.

Baraje had, at a media briefing announcing the merger in Abuja, told journalists that Aliyu left the merger meeting early but agreed with the decision.

Also, Jigawa State governor and member of the G7 political group, Alhaji Sule Lamido has denied his defection in to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

This was contained in a press statement issued, signed and made available to Nigerian Tribune in Dutse by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Malam Umar Kyari.

According to the statement “while my party (PDP) is currently embroiled in a serious crises especially by the Bamanga Tukur style of leadership with impunity, that does not necessitate renouncing of my historical authority to anybody.”

The statement stated further that “it is true my self and my family are currently under political heat wave and campaign of misinformation and smear to the effect that my family and I are adjudged guilty in the public court by the gullible and ill-informed.”

The G7 former member maintained that “this will not intimidate nor harass me out of the party.”

Comments (3)

  1. Good for democracy, PDP will always come top.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail