All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders
yesterday met with former Vice President
Atiku Abubakar in his Abuja home.
The APC leaders described the over one hour
meeting as a continuation of the party’s
consultations with past leaders and
stakeholders across the nation.
The meeting came on the heels of the
defection of 37 members of the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of
Representatives to the APC.
Atiku told reporters shortly after the meeting,
that the discussions were very fruitful,
stressing that he had always believed in the
two party system.
He said he welcomed the formation of the
APC, adding that he would meet with his
friends and political associates with the view
to taking a decision on the next line of action.
The former Vice President described the
formation of the APC as healthy for
democracy, and would give Nigerians a
credible alternative in the 2015 general
elections.
Atiku said: “We want to let you know that we
had very fruitful discussions and you know I
have always believed in a two-party structure.
“So I welcome the formation of APC. We have
discussed extensively and I will meet with my
political associates and friends.
“Most of us have been friends and political
associates for over two decades. I will call my
stakeholders across the country. We will take
a decision and address the press and let you
know our decision.
“I congratulated them (APC leaders) and
welcomed them because it will improve
competition and governance. It is healthy for
our democracy.
“Once you have one very strong party and
weak ones, there is no way the opposition can
check the government in power.
“If the South Africans faced Apartheid in the
past, Nigeria is facing colonialism. The
struggle has been long for the enthronement
of democracy in our country.
“It is time we realised we have responsibility
to our generation and those yet unborn. I
think it (APC) will give Nigerians an alternative
during elections. So, I told them I will consult
with my associates and brief the press later.”
APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi
Akande, who led the delegation, said the visit
was to cement a long standing political
relationship with Atiku, spanning more than
two decades.
Akande had, in an earlier remark, said the
party decided to meet Atiku against the
background of the country being rubbished by
the leadership at the centre.
“We feel that it is necessary to meet people of
like minds to rise up and salvage the country.
All of us that met here were comrades in
politics.
“We only met today to cement that
comradeship and all is well cemented. We are
moving together to work for this country,”
Akande said.
Former military Head of State Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari, said the party leaders
would also meet with former President
Olusegun Obasanjo.
Buhari said: “We have been visiting others like
the G7 governors and we have visited all
former Heads of State.
“We intend to visit former President Olusegun
Obasanjo when he is available to ask for his
understanding and brief him on why we
formed the APC.”
The APC leaders who visited Atiku include
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Borno State Governor
Kashim Shettima; Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and
Senate Minority Leader, George Akume.
Others are: Former House of Representatives
Speaker Aminu Bello Masari; former Aviation
Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode former Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Chairman Nuhu Ribadu.
Former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu
Sheriff, Senator Kabiru Gaya and Senator
Suleiman Nazif were also on the delegation.

Nigerianeye