The plot to unseat the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2015 general elections has thickened as 10 state governors from the different political parties and geo-political zones in the country on Tuesday met in Lagos and endorsed on-going merger talks by their various political parties.
The meeting which was hosted by the Governor of Lagos state, lasted for over four hours and a communiqué issued at the end revealed that the governors were concerned about the state of the nation and have all agreed to come together to rescue the nation, thereby endorsing the party merger talks.
Opposition parties; the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party, (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) are already involved in high level talks for the parties’ merger ahead of the 2015 general election.
The communique was read to journalists by the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.
“As progressive and patriotic leaders of our people across party, religious and geo-political zones, we are extremely concerned about the state of the nation and we put our heads together in the interest of our people to deliberate on what can be done to rescue our country”, the communique stated.
It further adds that “as governors, we fully endorse the merger initiatives already commenced by our various political parties and we will put our full weight behind these efforts.”
Moving PDP Out
The Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulazziz Abubakar Yari while responding to a question on whether the merger talk is about unseating the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said it is about how to fix Nigeria in the right perspectives.
He added that it is a question of asking if the people have been happy since 1999 till date when the PDP has been in power. “If the contrary has been the case then the leaders are duty bound to drive the people aright.”
“We believe that the PDP has not done enough. We have the idea, the knowledge and the progressive intention to move the country forward. So, if you say that we are going to move PDP out of power, yes we are ready to do that, God willing”, Governor Yari emphasized.
Speaking on the meeting, the host Governor; Mr Babatunde Fashola stated that the meeting was about making the country a better place because what the country is having now cannot be described as her best and that those at the meeting intend to deliver Nigeria’s best.
On scepticism by some people that the merger may not work, Mr Fashola said the commitment that the governors bring to the table will certainly override any scepticism.
“I am convinced here that the full weight of ten of us Governors and many more who unfortunately could not make it today is a much more stronger force and the underlying reason is clearly how to make this place a better place” , Governor Fashola stated.
Also speaking, the Governor of Ogun State, Mr Ibikunle Amosun said a lot of the other governors who were not present at the meeting will come on board when they see the sincerity of the participants.
He noted the sincerity explains the seriousness attached to the meeting, adding that the governors are determined and believes that with the support of all Nigerians the arrangement would work.
Responding to a question on what informed his attendance of the meeting, the Imo State Governor, of the All People’s Grand Allaince (APGA), Owelle Rochas Okorocha said the merger has become necessary to save the country and its democracy and the likelihood of its being turned into a one party state.
“I personally fully endorse this movement and merger. We are on a rescue mission here and the essence is about making Nigeria a better nation”, Okorocha added.
The state governors present at the meeting and their representatives are Borno- Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Imo- Chief Rochas Okorocha, Lagos-Mr Babatunde Fashola, Nassarawa, Alhaji Tanko Almakura, Ogun- Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Oyo- Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Osun-Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Alhaji Abdulazziz Abubakar Yari and Yobe which was represented by Senator Jejere Alkali.
