There are strong indications that come March 2017, a new mega party in the semblance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge.

According to The Punch those behind the party are National leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and some members of the Ahmed Makarfi led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A PDP chieftain, who spoke on the development said plans are already on the way for the party’s formation.

The source said, “The mega party is still at a formative stage but I can tell you we are making steady progress.

“With what happened in Ondo, you will agree with me that the cabal around the President, including a governor from the North-Central, and some ministers, has hijacked the party structure.

“They have shown more than once that they want to frustrate Tinubu and Atiku out of the APC. These are tested politicians, who have no plans of retiring any time soon.

“The picture will become clearer before the end of the first quarter of next year (March 2017) because some of our people believe that if we come out now, the cabal will use executive powers to frustrate us. Others feel it is better to let Nigerians know but our leaders are meeting at home and abroad. We are waiting for them.”

Another PDP chieftain said the group was aware of the APC’s plan to win in the South-East and South-South in 2019, so it plans to strengthen its hold on both geo-political zones.

The PDP chieftain said, “The South-East and South-South are areas of our strength. We have noticed that the Presidency has been receiving Igbo leaders at the Aso Rock. This is part of the bid to win the zone in 2019.

“We may have to make some concessions to the South-East to truly show that we care for the zone. These will include rotational presidency.”

It was learnt that Governor of Ekiti Ayodele Fayose was being used to woo Tinubu to join the group.

A member of the Tinubu group stated, “We do not want to make the mistake we made with Buhari by rushing to support him. We are considering the offer from the PDP faction.”

The Makarfi faction is also targeting prominent politicians such as a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankanso; the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and an ex-governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

Attempts to get the reaction of the Makarfi faction were unsuccessful as its National Publicity Secretary Prince Dayo Adeyeye was unreachable.

Special Adviser to Tinubu, Mr. Tunde Rahman, when contacted said he was not aware of the plan to form a mega party.

He said, “I am not aware of that development. I am not aware at all.”

Media aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, said such report was a product of mischief makers, as his principal had no plan to leave the APC.

“The statement we issued as far back as 2015 on this vexatious speculation is as valid then as it is valid today.

“The same sets of mischief makers are at it again. The Turakin Adamawa has shown in his words and deeds that he is a committed member of the All Progressives Congress nothing has changed,” Ibe stated.