The stage is getting set for a strategic onslaught on the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following weekend’s apology visit to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta by the party chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and others.
Obasanjo, who recently completed his studies in Theology, was quoted as accepted the apology in line with biblical injunctions.
This is coming less than one week after it tactically engulfed about 38 other political parties and the separatist group; the Reformed All Progressive Congress (R-APC), whose members are gradually officially dumping the ruling party across the nation to arrive at Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).
In a statement issued by the octogenarian’s media aide, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, PDP formally
apologised to the former President for what it described as “bad conduct and mistreatment,”.
Akinyemi said the party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus, who led a 21-member delegation of the party’s National Working Committee on a courtesy call on Obasanjo, gave the apology.
Business Hilights Nigeria Elections ’19 Desk recalls that Obasanjo had last week, reconciled with key elders of Western region and the leadership of Afenifere which signaled a strong alliance of purpose ahead of 2019 elections.
Other issues raised by Secondus, according to Akinyemi, were the situation in the country, the progress of the Memorandum of Understanding on grand alliance of the CUPP).
During the meeting, the PDP National Chairman also appealed to Obasanjo to continue to proffer solutions to the nation’s socio-economic and political problems.
Akinyemi in the statement noted that Obasanjo urged PDP to pay attention to issues that were needed to restore PDP as a party of good image, discipline, commitment, leadership and moral principles.
On CUPP being championed by PDP, Obasanjo advised that the coalition should remain an alliance as being projected and not a merger.
According to the statement, “The MoU for grand alliance is what it says, a grand alliance. It is neither a merger nor absorption of any political party by any political party.
“It is clear for the parties which agreed to be members of the alliance to work together to achieve one important common objective at the national level for the election of 2019.
“Where it is appropriate and necessary, members may also form alliance and co-operation at the state level.
“The individuality and independence of each political party must be observed and respected by all parties concerned.
“It is also desirable that in the process of implementing the MoU to achieve the set objective, solidarity and focus on the objective must be maintained.
“Each member political party must be cautious of fake news, rumours, blackmail, and seeds of discord that may be sown among them from external quarters,’’ Akinyemi quoted Obasanjo as saying.
Obasanjo at the meeting made it clear that he has quit partisan politics, but remains available to guide any party that so desired.
