Prof. Adewale Oladipo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Substantive National Secretary, has described the merger decision by the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led splinter group of the party with the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “unmasking the masquerade”.
He told journalists on Tuesday in Abuja that “this is just a manifestation of the fertile environment that we as a party brought into the Nigerian political environment.
“Multi-party democracy is now entrenched in our nation, everyone is free to take advantage of this and move to any political party where he or she believes his or her political interest will be best served.
“I however feel constrained to make a few comment, the first one is that, finally, the masquerade has been unmasked.
“Tolerance is the bedrock of democracy. I hope and pray that people will be allowed to take their decisions when the time comes”.
He congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for ensuring that basic political freedom was guaranteed to all Nigerians, irrespective of their positions in life.
Oladipo, however, admitted that the last four months had been challenging for the party, but observed that in spite of the challenges, President Jonathan had effectively weathered the storm.
“President Goodluck Jonathan had weathered the storm admirably. He has negotiated with people even when many within the party felt they already had an opinion of where they wanted to go.
“The president had graciously given them a very long rope to pull.
“However, as long as the President is desirous of running for the presidency come 2015, I can assure you that the incidence of today will not in anyway affect his chances”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Baraje-led splinter group has Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto, Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers, Gov. Musa Kwankwaso of Kano and Gov. Murtala Nyako of Adamawa states.
Other are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Gov. Danjuma Goje of Gombe State, Bukola Saraki of Kwara, Adamu Aliero of Kebbi, Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Ogun and Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa. (NAN)
well, we hope all these political storm will go well in this country