A Faction of the new People’s Democratic Party (PDP) bloc of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Wednesday stormed the national secretariat of the APC to bare their minds on how they were unfairly treated since the inception of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in May 29, 2015.
The group, led by Abubakar Kawu Baraje, in the petition dated April 27, 2018 entitled “Request for repressing of grievances of the former new PDP bloc within the APC”, gave Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) and President Muhammadu Buhari a seven-day ultimatum to address their grievances.
The group, linked to Obasanjo’s third force movement, Coalition of New Nigeria (CNN) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), claimed that they have not only suffered intimidation and harassment, but had been sidelined from the scheme of things in the APC since 2015.
Baraje, who was evasive when asked whether they would dump the party, said their visit to the party leadership was aimed at exploring avenues to resolve their grievances.
However, contents of the petition which chronicled the grievances of members of the bloc, paint a slightly different picture.
The petition which was addressed to Odigie-Oyegun read in part, “We the members of the All Progressives Congress, who moved over from the People’s Democratic Party to form the APC before the 2015 general elections in Nigeria, are desirous of strengthening our party especially now that new party congresses have commenced and the convention and another round of general elections are imminent.
“Obviously, this cannot be achieved without addressing fundamental issues which we wish to raise in this letter.
“We, therefore, wish, with due respect, to restate our expectation then and now that the APC we all laboured to build would be one united, inclusive, cohesive and progressive party devoid of divisions, factions, cleavages and tendencies.”
He explained that while it was a fact that those who moved over from the nPDP to form the APC contributed immensely to the electoral victory being enjoyed today, their sacrifices had not been acknowledged or appreciated.
Specifically, the letter read, “These efforts, contributions and sacrifice were made in spite of the fact that the presidential ticket was taken by the erstwhile Congress for Progressive Change, and the Action Congress of Nigeria blocs of the party. It is a matter for grave concern that His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has never publicly acknowledged our efforts…”
Baraje added, “At this stage, we would chronicle a few grievances which if addressed will lead to a harmonious APC where justice, equity, fairness and peace will reign and enable APC avoid rancour, reinvigorate the pace of national development and face the 2019 general elections as one united party.
He listed the nPDP’s grievances to include non-inclusion in the Federal Executive Council, no significant patronage and appointments into executive positions in various government agencies, marginalisation, unkept promises and general lack of consultation, non-recognition and even persecution of former nPDP members and leaders by the party and the government.
“There is an inadequate reflection of programme and policy contributions of members of the former New PDP bloc in the running of the government.
“Our belief is that it does not augur well for our party if a section of it feels that it is being treated as an outcast and meddlesome interlopers in the party they rightly belong with the legitimate expectation to be treated with justice both in the running of the party and the government.”
The aggrieved party members went on to request an urgent meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and the party executive leadership to find lasting solutions to the issues raised.
He said this was necessary “to prepare the party as a fighting force to deliver more pungently on its manifesto and face the 2019 general elections with even greater commitment.”
The letter further read, “Given the constraining factor of available time and in the interest of our great party, it is strongly advised that the said urgent meeting be held not later than seven days from the date of the receipt of this letter.