The main opposition political party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, does not want to take the chance of trusting in its own influence or reach in the 2019 general elections. It is eager to toe the line which the ruling APC created in 2015, by bringing smaller parties into its fold to challenge the APC for votes.
The PDP has signed a pact that would facilitate the emergence of a common presidential candidate in next year’s general elections. The party also agreed to present unity candidates for governorship positions in the 36 states. The PDP signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with 38 smaller parties under the aegis of Coalition of Unity Political Parties, CUPP.
They resolved to commence work on a blueprint manifesto. The alignment is expected to result in a government of national unity if the CUPP wins the presidency in 2019. At the forum in Abuja on Monday, the chairmen of the parties took turns to condemn the APC administration. They accused President Muhammadu Buhari of running a discriminatory system and lamented the growing level of insecurity in the country.
The CUPP admitted that the battle would not be easy but expressed its determination to pursue the task with all the resources available to members of the group. The grand coalition included Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Africa Democratic Party (ADC), National Conscience Party (NCP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC).
The terms of reference of the MoU, read by PDP member, Chief Tom Ikimi, states that the parties “shall promote a positive reaction to the failures of the present regime and give hope to all our people. The parties shall ensure that the coalition is committed to working together in support of the single presidential candidate to contest the 2019 presidential election to successfully enthrone a true democrat who will salvage the country.
Observers at the forum said there was palpable feeling of nostalgia as some of the guests spoke to the gathering.
