Prominent politicians under the auspices of Northern Leaders and Elders (NLE) on Wednesday stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in talks with leaders of 15 political parties ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The leaders and elders, including former governors and deputies, ex-ministers and other bigwigs vowed to free the opposition PDP “from the hands of charlatans” in order to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The northern leaders stated this at their meeting held at Ajuji Hotel in Abuja.
The meeting came days after a group alleged that Makarfi was being sponsored by some PDP governors and others to form a new party.
In attendance were the chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former governors Malam Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Jonah Jang (Plateau) and former deputy governor of Sokoto State, Muktar Shagari.
Others included a former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, a former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri, a former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed; former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, Amb. Aminu Wali among others.
In his speech, Makarfi said political solution to the party’s crisis was a good option but must be “water-tight legally.”
He expressed sadnes on the Appeal Court judgement that favoured Sheriff and criticised the Governor Seriake Dickson-led PDP National Reconciliation Committee, for recommending that the party’s national convention be held not later than June 30.
Makarfi insisted that there was need to collectively resolve all issues relating to the leadership of the party before the convention.
Gana, while speaking, alleged that the APC was promotion crisis in the opposition.
He confirmed that “We started talking with seven parties and now we have 15 parties talking with us.”
“They would be meeting with us this evening (yesterday); they are genuine and very serious. We are doing this to ensure we form a strong force before 2019,” he said.
He, however, did not mention the names of the other parties.
Loyalists of PDP National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff were conspicuously absent at the event.
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