by ‘Jola Sotubo

Some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday met with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar with the purpose of strengthening their ranks.

The APC has seen an increase in its numbers with many members of rival parties flocking into it.

The meeting was held at the former vice president’s home in Abuja and was said to have lasted over an hour.

The Nation reports:

The APC leaders described the over one hour meeting as a continuation of the party’s consultations with past leaders and stakeholders across the nation.

The meeting came on the heels of the defection of 37 members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives to the APC.

Atiku told reporters shortly after the meeting, that the discussions were very fruitful, stressing that he had always believed in the two party system.

He said he welcomed the formation of the APC, adding that he would meet with his friends and political associates with the view to taking a decision on the next line of action.

The former Vice President described the formation of the APC as healthy for democracy, and would give Nigerians a credible alternative in the 2015 general elections.

Atiku said: “We want to let you know that we had very fruitful discussions and you know I have always believed in a two-party structure.

“So I welcome the formation of APC. We have discussed extensively and I will meet with my political associates and friends.

“Most of us have been friends and political associates for over two decades. I will call my stakeholders across the country. We will take a decision and address the press and let you know our decision.

“I congratulated them (APC leaders) and welcomed them because it will improve competition and governance. It is healthy for our democracy.

“Once you have one very strong party and weak ones, there is no way the opposition can check the government in power.

“If the South Africans faced Apartheid in the past, Nigeria is facing colonialism. The struggle has been long for the enthronement of democracy in our country.

“It is time we realised we have responsibility to our generation and those yet unborn. I think it (APC) will give Nigerians an alternative during elections. So, I told them I will consult with my associates and brief the press later.”

APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, who led the delegation, said the visit was to cement a long standing political relationship with Atiku, spanning more than two decades.

Akande had, in an earlier remark, said the party decided to meet Atiku against the background of the country being rubbished by the leadership at the centre.

“We feel that it is necessary to meet people of like minds to rise up and salvage the country. All of us that met here were comrades in politics.

“We only met today to cement that comradeship and all is well cemented. We are moving together to work for this country,” Akande said.

Former military Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said the party leaders would also meet with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Buhari said: “We have been visiting others like the G7 governors and we have visited all former Heads of State.

“We intend to visit former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he is available to ask for his understanding and brief him on why we formed the APC.”

The APC leaders who visited Atiku include Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima; Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and Senate Minority Leader, George Akume.

Others are: Former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Bello Masari; former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Nuhu Ribadu.

Former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, Senator Kabiru Gaya and Senator Suleiman Nazif were also on the delegation.