As preparations heat up ahead of the 2015 general elections, political loyalists of the late president, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua have concluded plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in no distant time.
This is just as the loyalists of the late former president, under the aegis of Coalition For Change (CFC) are said to have opened talks with the leadership of the APC.
The G-11 is reportedly being led by former Aviation Minister, Professor Femi Aborishade, and the late Yar’Adua’s Deputy when he was a Governor and erstwhile envoy to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Abubakar Garba Aminchi. Aminchi has already joined the APC.
According to an insider, the leaders of the group said two basic reasons were responsible for the decision of the late president’s loyalists to dump the PDP.
“You should know that since President Jonathan took over as president, he has been behaving as if there were personal issues he had to sort out with some of us who were close to the late president.
“In politics, you don’t hold anyone as an enemy simply because he or she tried to defend an interest; but where your interest triumphs, you should turn the leaf of a leader to all and bring all under one umbrella especially as we all belong to the same political party.
“In the case of President Jonathan, some of us are now seen as enemies of the presidency and we cannot continue to shy away from taking bold steps that will entrench us politically; and that is why we will join the APC.
“Basically, therefore, two major things are the propelling factors: one, the president and his men have personalised political relationships; two, we cannot ignore the fact that Nigeria needs a change in 2015 and APC is the veritable vehicle,” he said.
Confirming the development, the secretary to Katsina State government under the late Yar’Adua’s first term as governor, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, said the decision to join forces with the APC was borne out of the group’s desire to rescue Nigeria.
“Yes it is true that those of us who worked closely with the late president are on the verge of going to the APC because we need to join forces with other well-meaning Nigerians to rescue Nigeria.
“This is a movement that cuts across the entire nation; it is a nationwide network that has taken the decision to dump the PDP and move into the APC and the decision is irreversible because it is beyond individual interests, it’s that of the nation,” Inuwa said on telephone.
Also, the Katsina SSG, former Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources under the late president, Dr Sa’ad Abba Ruma, said a considerable number of members of the late president’s political family were considering the APC.
“I am just an individual in the group and whatever I say is not that I am saying such on behalf of the political family; but, as a member of the group, I can tell you confidently that, yes, there are indeed discussions going on at the highest level to join the APC.
“Nationwide, a considerable number of our membership and followership are of the view that the APC option is the best to hook up to national politics. But an extensive mobilisation of our people has to be done in such a way that once a final decision is taken, no one will be left behind.
“Already, some of us have left for the APC; for instance, Aminchi who was deputy to the late Yar’Adua when he was governor has left the PDP for the APC, and many more are on their way there as I speak.
“It is in light of this that, we have decided to set up a G-11 team to drive the process that will lead to the formal defection across the nation, because it is a national thing we are talking about. This G-11 working under the auspices of the Coalition For Change (CFC) will put a final thrust of the plan together and present for ratification; it is after that, we can boldly say, yes, we are moving into the APC,” Ruma said.
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