The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) has said it will not go into merger with any political party ahead of the 2019 general elections.
This comes as the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) and 18 other political parties are discussing a merger deal to form a ‘third force’.
According to APDA, it had commenced mapping out strategies to go into the elections independently with full force in order to seize power at the federal and state levels.
Addressing newsmen at the weekend in Abuja, the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Shittu, also announced that a three-man committee had been set up to work out modalities for winning this year’s governorship election in Ekiti State.
Shittu described the 2019 elections timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as timely, saying APDA was preparing “aggressively” and clearing its house for the general polls.
Meanwhile, National Chairman of FJP, Dr. Onwubuya Breakforth, in a separate press briefing in Abuja said that the third force was necessary in order to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, eliminate the PDP from the polity and enthrone good governance in the country.
Dr. Onwubuya who declined to name the 18 other parties said, “The merger deal will play the third force in the political activities geared towards 2019 and beyond.”
“FJP is the coordinating platform of merger for 18 previously, now 19 political parties, both old and new,” he said while expressing fear that superior forces would scuttle the plan.
FJP claimed that the APC-led government has failed to deliver on its campaign promises, citing security challenges, fuel scarcity, unemployment, poverty in the land and many others as reasons for the planned third force.
The party said APC lacked sincerity and competence to administer Nigeria well, insisting there was need for Nigerians to dislodge the present government in 2019.
Dr. Onwubuya called on President Muhammadu Buhari to cancel his recent appointments of chairmen and members of federal boards and agencies and compile a new one which should include at least a slot for each of the 68 registered political parties in the country.
Comments