How The Merging of New PDP & APC All Began

According to the Leadership, the eventual movement of five governors Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and members of the new PDP into the All Progressive Congress (APC), clearly had roots in unresolved grievances and grandstanding that evolved through months of political schemings.

The governors are: Alhaji Murtala Nyako from Adamawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido of Jigawa state, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano state, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers state and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State.

They had in the build up to their joining the APC expressed grievances against the party leadership style, nationally and in their states.

However, it all began with the emergence of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as national chairman of the PDP, back in 2012, who was not a welcomed choice for the governors in the North-East. The Tukur-led National Working Committee had barely settled to office when internal wranglings erupted majorly between Tukur and then National Secretary, Olagunsonye Oyinlola, who was eventually removed from office by a court ruling. He was subsequently reinstated following an appeal court ruling on the matter.

On the state front, the relationship between the Adamawa State governor, Nyako and Tukur deteriorated over the the authentic leadership of the state party in the state. Tukur, a one time governor of Adamawa state, backed the leadership of Joel Madaki as chairman of the state party while Nyako insisted that Minjiyawa Umar-Kugama

While, the crisis in Adamawa State festered, the Presidency and Tukur-led leadership of PDP was locked in a battle of wits against the return of the Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). At the time, the Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido and Amaechi were viewed with suspicion by the party leadership over speculations that they intend to run under the party’s platform as President and Vice President respectively.

However, on May 25, Amaechi defeated the Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang to return as chairman of the NGF. The election, which was held at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, in Abuja was witnessed by 35 out of the 36 state governors. Ameachi got 19 votes against Jang’s 16.

The result was however rejected by the Jonah Jang led faction of the NGF, which has since received the recognition of the Tukur-led leadership. Barely days after his victory at the NGF election, Amaechi was suspended by the national party after a petition was filed by the faction of state party that was loyal to the minister of education, Nyesom Wike. They cited anti-party activities.

Similarly, the party, less than 72 hours after suspending Amaechi, also suspended the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, citing apathy and his failure to appear before the NWC to answer to charges of contempt against some organ of the party. The suspension slammed on Wammako was however hurriedly reversed days later following criticisms that trailed it.

However, the crisis in the party, took a different dimension with the daring walk out by the later known nPDP at the August 31, PDP national Convention. President Goodluck Jonathan and chairmanship of Bamanga was openly challenged when the 7 governors, were led by former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to declare a ‘New PDP’ with Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje as its Chairman.

They had with them 22 senators and 57 members of House Representatives all from PDP.