PDP Denies APC Sponsorship, Disowns Ugochinyere

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP has finally reacted to claims by the opposition that the party is the sponsor of new political party, African People’s Congress, APC.

The national leadership of the PDP yesterday denied being involved in the formation of the new party, and also disowned its facilitator, Ugochinyere Imo Ikenga.

The PDP said it disowned any move to frustrate the registration of the opposition merger, All Progressive Congress, APC, following the emergence of another association with similar acronym.

In a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party, however, reiterated that it was not moved by the coming together of four opposition political parties to form the APC, adding that it welcomes a strong opposition.

“Our attention has been drawn to unfounded, spurious and vexatious reports making the rounds in some online media claiming that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is behind the identity tug of war by groups claiming the acronym APC. The reports have suggested that agents of our Party are involved in the formation of the African People’s Congress to frustrate the merger of opposition Parties under the canopy of the All Progressives Congress.

“We have on numerous occasions debunked these provocative insinuations. However, in view of the mischievous dimensions these rumours have assumed, especially within a section of the online media, the PDP wishes to categorically state as follows: To the best of our knowledge, no member of the PDP is involved in the formation of any other political organization, neither are we interested in the activities of any other Party.

“The alleged involvement of one Ugochinyere Imo Ikenga in the formation of the other APC has no bearing whatsoever on us.

“From our findings, Mr Ikenga’s recent activities, including his unsavoury attacks and illicit campaign for the dissolution of the Bamanga Tukur led National Working Committee makes him an estranged fellow and therefore can never be an agent of the PDP in anyway.

“Contrary to the allegations in the reports, the PDP email address has never been made available to any external body for the purpose of disseminating information. For emphasis, the PDP did not at any time use its email address to circulate the so-called APC’s press statement of 15th March 2013.”