By Yusuf Alli.

There were strong indications yesterday that 11 former ministers during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan may soon join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was also learnt that there is pressure on ex-Governor Jolly Nyame, Senator Andy Uba and some Senators in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shift base to the APC.

An opposition governor is yet to make up his mind on whether to defect to the ruling party.

The planned defection of the 11 ex-ministers is all part of the ongoing realignment of forces.

Some of the former ministers are said to be looking for soft landing because of ongoing investigations by the anti-graft agencies.
A few others opted for defection because they are unsure of the future of the PDP.

The defection of a former Minister of Transport, Umar Idris, from PDP to APC last weekend was regarded as a “pilot test” for the ex-ministers, who are mostly from the North.

It was however gathered that Idris, whose defection shocked many PDP leaders, allegedly put Jonathan into confidence that “it is only politically expedient for him to leave PDP in Gombe State”.

It was unclear yesterday whether he planned to run for governor in 2019.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of them have opened talks discreetly with some key figures in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. They are bidding time on when to cross over. But ex-Minister Umar Idris braved the odds to defect last weekend.

“I think they do not want to lose out in the scheme of things. It is becoming obvious that the crisis in PDP might lead to the emergence of another party.

Another source said: “Contrary to what you have been fed with, it is the APC that is reaching out to like minds in the former cabinet of ex-President Jonathan.

“Some of us have been under intense pressure to defect because of the crisis in PDP.

Some of the ex-ministers under investigation are Nurudeen Mohammed; Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro; Bashir Yuguda; former Minister of Power, Mohammed Wakil; Bala Mohammed; Diezani Alison-Madueke; Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; Amb. Aminu Wali; Prof. Viola Onwuliri; ex-Minister Nenadi Usman; ex-Minister Senator Joel Ikenya and Femi Fani-Kayode.

One of the anti-graft agencies has also grilled former Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali; former Minister of Mines and Steel Musa Muhammad Sada; and a former Minister of State for Agriculture, Asabe Asmau Ahmed.
It is not clear yet if any of those under investigation is among those planning to defect.

A source close to Shekarau confirmed that some APC leaders had made overtures to him.

The source said: “Several of such moves and overtures have been made in the past but he has not uttered a word on that. He has not considered any. He is still in PDP.

“Don’t forget that Shekarau was one of the initiators of the merger which produced APC. And most of his political associates and friends are in APC. As a matter of fact, the present National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, was Shekarau’s vice-presidential candidate in 2011.
“I am aware that there is pressure on him to rejoin his political friends and associates in APC. But he has not considered the offer at all.

Reacting, the Secretary of the Forum of ex-Ministers, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, said: “I am not aware of anything like that.

“But in view of the crises in APC and PDP, some people believe that there will be realignment. There are undercurrent signals or pressure from some sources.

Ex-Governor Jolly Nyame of Taraba State and Uba are also said to be under pressure to defect to APC.

http://thenationonlineng.net/11-ex-jonathan-ministers-may-join-apc/

They can join the ACN and CPC Cartel...we don't need them in nPDP

PDP=APC (clad in another color of flag and slogan)

In Fela's voice...#same old politicians.....

Its called joining the moving Train



its like u don't knw that bubu does not have face


he will make sure that EFCC arrests u, then pend ur case in court till 2019.......by then u don stay 4 prison tire !!!

Will they be allowed to retain their loot by merely cross-carpeting. What happens to our yams in their possesion?

And that would be the day i cease to suppprt APC.

I've said it times without number that something must be done with our constitution to make it extremely difficult for politicians to change party like changing their underwear.

Those who may want to blame PMB/APC should ask themselves the question: "in what way can PMB or APC prevent this cross-carpeting?"

Democracy is not good for Africa.

They r dried financially! Hiissssssss

Old things have passed away, all things have become new

Reality beginning to set and they have to do something so hunger does not kill them

Why won't they join APC since they are aware of the fact that once you become a broom waver you are sinless and all your sins will be forgiven?

Really who wants to continue suffering?

It's not their fault actually, it's the fault of Bubu, who refused to make a basic crack down on corrupt politicians in his party but always quick to do the same against those in the opposition.

This current government is a typical example of the saying "from friepan to fire"

[/b]Some of the former ministers are said to be looking for soft landing because of ongoing investigations by the anti-graft agencies."[b] And this is democracy right? And APC is also satisfied right? We'll surely leave this world one day.

Rilwayne001:
Why won't they join APC since they are aware of the fact that once you become a broom waver you are sinless and all your sins will be forgiven?

Really who wants to continue suffering?

It's not their fault actually, it's the fault of Bubu, who refused to make a basic crack down on corrupt politicians in his party but always quick to do the same against those in the opposition.

This current government is a typical example of the saying "from friepan to fire"

Seem you have given up hope on "Sai Baba,Sai Mai Gaskiyia,Sai Chanji"? It's not easy to follow Buhari o.

Paperwhite:
Seem you have given up hope on "Sai Baba,Sai Mai Gaskiyia,Sai Chanji"? It's not easy to follow Buhari o.

Buhari like Jonathan is an ineffectual buffoon.

VampireeM:
Good move by the ministers. I hope the likes of Bode George, FFk etc in PDP joins APC. PDP becomes purged from bad eggs, then change their name logo and the recycling of continues

Haaaa! You get it. This country is a huge joke.

It wud shock some people wen Fayose decamps to APC before his tenure ends.
The aim is simple,join apc,avoid prosecution if u are corrupt or join the new set of the corrupt,the untouchables and the contractors.
PMB body language of turning a blind eye to APC thieves is what is fuellin these defections.

Any Apc news without GEJ making headline is not news...
How about news telling us how Buhari plans to solve the economic crisis?

Bunch of jokers...
so what if GEJ former ministers plans to jump ship? this is politics and most politicians never have anyone in mind except themselves.

Hahahahaha,politics na big business for naija


but where is ffk nau,i want to buy him 7wraps of fufu nd hot oha soup,with ekuke meat,so that he will sing nd dance for me on this defecting ex pdp ministers

.

APC must stop this rubbish or end up with characters that destroyed pdp too early to be doing this.

SillyMods:
I've said it times without number that something must be done with our constitution to make it extremely difficult for politicians to change party like changing their underwear.

Those who may want to blame PMB/APC should ask themselves the question: "in what way can PMB or APC prevent this cross-carpeting?"

Democracy is not good for Africa.

What then is good for Africa?

There is no hope for this nation, Buhari unlike Jonathan will be celebrated as the worst President ever with this same people dining with him.

doctokwus:
It wud shock some people wen Fayose decamps to APC before his tenure ends.
The aim is simple,join apc,avoid prosecution if u are corrupt or join the new set of the corrupt,the untouchables and the contractors.
PMB body language of turning a blind eye to APC thieves is what is fuellin these defections.

You can not totally fight corruption when corruption was part of what brought you to power. As it is now it's really hard to fight corruption in the APC since we have a whole lot of APC members having corruption hanging on their neck...

The president is handicapped with everything going on in the party, and this makes a mockery of the fight against corruption....

Rilwayne001:

Buhari like Jonathan is an ineffectual buffoon.

Chai, bros don vex o

Progressive01:
And that would be the day i cease to suppprt APC.

HAHAAHAAAAAAA! Happy wailing in advance

Lol.

Oya join make dem forgive ur sins.

Bunch of bastarrrds.

Guess the newspaper ~ thenation

Progressive01:
And that would be the day i cease to suppprt APC.

Lol

Now solve all yahoomail problems from here