Chieftains of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) bloc in the All Progressives Congress (APC) will make their positions as regards relationship with the ruling party known this week.
Leader of the group and a member of the APC Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje made this known in a statement from his media office in Ilorin, Kwara State on Sunday.
Other members of the group include the Senate President and leader of the party in the state, Dr Bukola Saraki, the Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal among others.
Baraje disclosed that before the end of this week, members of the group would have concluded their consultations and come out with their stand on all what they stand for.
He emphasised that whatever decision they would take will be one that will seek to promote the wellbeing of the Nigerian masses.
He stressed that corporate interest of the citizenry and a united Nigeria where no man is oppressed is paramount and very dear to their hearts.
He however thanked Nigerians who have always seen reason for their struggle particularly, the media for adequate reportage of their activities.
The nPDP members recently complained about marginalisation and abandonment by the ruling administration and sought audience with President Buhari over the issue.
Although, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met with them before the last national convention of the party, there were reports that the exercise might be boycotted.
But they finally attended the exercise following which Baraje disproved the rumour and later released a statement explaining their reason(s) adding that their attendance will not stop their agitation.
…Sobi FM boss, Lukman Mustapha officially joins PDP guber race
By Kayode Adeoti
The proprietor of Sobi FM, Lukman Mustapha has officially joined the race for next year gubernatorial election in the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Lukman who stormed the party’s secretariat along Asa-Dam road on Sunday to announce his formal declaration for the race has long identified with the opposition party.
His coming is expected to swell the number of those already said to be interested in the race but are yet to make official declaration.
He was in the company of former Deputy Governor of the State, Joel Ogundeji and a one-time House of Representatives aspirant, Architect Lola Ashiru.
In his address, the banker declared that he decided to return to PDP in order to be the party’s flag bearer come 2019 governorship election in the state.
“I’m here to show myself that I’ve returned home. The freedom of Kwara has come; we will soon get to the government house, I’m contesting for the governorship seat under the PDP. My aspiration is not selfish nor is it personal; I plan to achieve progress for the state.
“Our future is in our hands, decision to win 2019 begins with the party. Don’t let us make mistakes. In 2014, things turn around and many people left the party. Nobody caused the defeat of 2015, we lose because there was no time to build trust, there are many leaders then, but now, we have just a leader.
“The PDP chairman, Iyiola Oyedepo has sacrificed, he has brought sanity into the party, we had it very rough at the beginning.
In his response, Iyiola expressed joy over the development, saying Lukman is one of the first aspirants to declare intension to run for the governorship seat under the platform of the PDP.
“We need a very big platform to win election in Kwara state and PDP is not just a party but a mass movement, it is designed to set many people free in the state from the power of oppressors… our party is going to emerge victorious, it is not surprising that we are having many people jostling to be the party’s flag bearer,” he added.
“The PDP belongs to members of the state, I will want everyone to work hard so that we can realise our dreams in 2019”, he added.
