NIGERIA: Defunct CPC Faction Threatens to Quit PDM

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A faction of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) led by Senator Rufai Hanga has said it could be forced to dump the merger with the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) with its teaming supporters and members over allegations of a hidden agenda by its leadership.

In a statement issued by the Pioneer National Publicity Secretary of CPC, Chief Dennis Aghanya, the group accused the National Chairman of PDM, Mallam Bashir Yusuf of betraying the trust and bond that facilitated the merger.

"We however wish to state very clearly that Mallam Bashir Yusuf is not capable and cannot lead the PDM to success. The merger might be off soonest if nothing is done," he said.

Aghanya said the first shocker came during the courtesy visit by members of his party from the South-east zone to the national secretariat when Yusuf said the party members were not comfortable to integrate the CPC faction into the main stream affairs of the party because of the party's former link with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

"Though we may have parted ways politically, Buhari has not committed any crime that should have warranted such comment from the likes of Mallam Bashir," he said.

He said Bashir made every NEC member of the party sign their resignation letter leaving the column for date empty before their names were submitted to INEC during registration; an action that was ill-intended.

He further alleged that a ‘mafia group’ was planted within from its inception to thwart every meaningful effort to grow the party in line with the expectations of members.

"On the 28th day of October, 2013 the defunct Senater Hanga led CPC announced the official merger of its structure nationwide into the PDM after a thoughtful and well articulated consultations. Our merger was based on mutual trust, hence an unconditional marriage.

"We assured our teaming supporters and members that history was not only made that day but that collectively our political future was also guaranteed. On that premise our loyalty and commitment to the leadership of the PDM at all levels has never been in doubt.

"Notwithstanding the alarm by most of the original founding leaders of the PDM as a movement, it did not cast doubt in our minds. We have forged ahead more than ever before, striving to build a political party that can offer Nigerians a much desired opposition.”

The statement said the Hanga faction had scheduled to meet on Friday to review the situation.