The National Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP) Prof. Wale Oladipo, has described the proposed Advanced Peoples Democratic Party (APDP) as a silly and laughable conception of its proponents.
Oladipo made the statement on Sunday, in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST at his country home in Ile-Ife, noting that the addition of “advanced” to an already existing party’s nomenclature is extremely nonsensical and farce.
He explained that any group of people at any point in time has the liberty and rightly to form a political association and get it registered as a party, with unique name and identity, and not a derivative of an existing party.
The National Secretary added that such “mischief” would be appropriately challenged in the law court should those behind the proposed party continue with the move to get the party registered.
“It is not only silly but practically laughable for any individual to think of adding a word to the name of an existing party, and call it a new political party, this is indeed a mischief of highest magnitude.
” In as much as we believe that individuals have the liberty and freedom under the law to associate politically and form a party, that must be done with decency and in line with rule of law.
“Addition of a word to the name of our political party is unacceptable and fraudulent, we shall do everything possible within the ambit of the extant law in the land to stop its registration,” Oladipo said.
He, however, maintained that members of his group will key into the peace move initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan through a “political solution” calling it a good move in the right direction.
Oladipo said the peace and reconciliation efforts within the party for the purpose of aggregating and articulating diverse interests are laudable and timely, saying the party could not afford to remain fragmented in the face of forthcoming gubernatorial elections in some states in 2018, and 2019 general election.
The party stalwart reiterated the position of his group in the quest for peaceful resolution of the impasse within the party, and the need to build the party to a status of virile and vibrant opposition.
“You will agree with me that even in a war situation, the panacea to conflict still remains a round table discussion as a viable mechanism for resolution.
” The Chairman, Alhaji Ali modu Sheriff is implicitly committed to peaceful and amicable resolution of crisis in the party, and the move is ongoing, we are presently discussing with leaders of the party in all strata of it’s structure, in tandem with President Jonathan idea of political solution.
“You know, President Jonathan is not a loud person, he has a special way of getting things done quietly, and he will definitely succeed in bringing the party together again as one family,” he stressed.
The erstwhile Varsity teacher however hailed former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 80th birthday, describing him as a political icon in Nigeria and the world at large.
“I have a personal relationship with President Olusegun Obasanjo, he is like a father to me, as he is to many other people, he has carved a niche for himself as a leading light amongst democrats all over the world.
” I wish him more fruitful years ahead, as he continues to play a significant role in keeping Nigeria one always”.
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