PDP, APGA splinter groups move to form new Nigeria political party

Splinter groups from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, have proposed a new party to be called Peoples Mega Party.
The development follows a leadership crisis in Nigeria’s main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party.
The new political group, PMP, which held its maiden meeting in Abuja Tuesday, unanimously adopted Perry Opara as its interim chairman.
The group will soon approach the Independent National Electoral Commission for its registration, and will focus on youth in its membership drive, Mr. Opara said.

Mr. Opara is a top associate of Ahmed Gulak, a former political adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mr. Gulak, who is believed to be the key initiator of PMP, has recently been embroiled in a row with PDP leaders over his ambition to become the chairman of the party.
Mr. Gulak recently secured a court order mandating him or another PDP member from Nigeria’s north east to become the party’s national chairman, as a replacement for Uche Secondus.

While Mr. Secondus left office as the court ruled, Mr. Gulak was denied the position. A former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, was later appointed the party’s chairman.
In his remarks at the proposed new party’s meeting, Mr. Opara said the leadership crisis within the PDP served as a factor for the formation of PMP.
“The major people who are in the party are former members of the PDP who are disenchanted by the high level of corruption, high level of impunity and high-handedness in the PDP,” he said.
”They have decided to form something very new and they are of the opinion that they should hand over the party to younger elements who are less corrupt and who can fight for the interest of the people.
“It does not mean that it is only people from the PDP, we have APGA chairmen from many states of Nigeria identifying with the new party, people from Labour Party, LP, and the Accord Party, AP.
“There are also disenchanted people from the APC that feel that they want a new place and that is what it is. Today marks the birth of this new party.”
He said the PMP had adopted the picture of a human being as its logo and “Forward Nigeria” as its slogan.