2015: CPC may dissolve into ACN •Why he took over negotiations with ACN, Tinubu •How party broke into three factions

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Written by Taiwo Adisa, Abuja Sunday, 27 May 2012
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Indications have emerged that the planned alliance between the Congress for Progressive Change

(CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) could see the party led by General Muhammadu Buhari dissolving into the ACN ahead of the next general elections.



Sources close to the two parties confirmed at the weekend that the leaders of the CPC have been briefed of Buhari’s readiness to dissolve his party into the ACN and that the two parties could then evolve a new name to reflect the development.

A source confirmed to Sunday Tribune that the former head of state decided to personally lead the negotiation with the ACN.

Insights into meetings held by chieftains of the CPC in Abuja on May 22 and 23 confirmed that the growing division among members of the party had given much concern to Buhari.

It was confirmed that the National Chairman of the Party, Prince Tony Momoh, who himself has come under attack from a group within the party which claimed to have suspended him last week, declared at the Abuja meetings that three groups are now battling for the soul of the CPC.

The groups, according to the sources, include the Buhari Confidants, the (Buba) Galadima Boys and the Dr. Sule Yahaya Hamman group.

Chieftains of the party were already being told of the possibility of its dissolution before the end of the year and the emergence of a new platform in line with the planned alliance with the ACN, a source said.

Sources at one of the meetings quoted Momoh as saying that a national convention could be called before the end of the year to ratify the new status of the CPC in line with the planned arrangement with the ACN.

The said convention “is expected to mirror the new status of the party for the emergence of new leadership, depending on the way the planned alliance with the ACN goes.”

While confirming that the party has been polarised, Momoh was said to have told the meeting that some chieftains were guilty of the developments and that some of those creating problems for the party included those who called themselves “Buhari’s Confidants.”

He also stated that some party members who saw themselves as the most powerful also pride themselves as Galadima Boys, while the third group sees themselves as loyalists of Dr. Sule Hamman.

The division among the ranks of the party was also said to have informed the discontent among the state chairmen of the party who had orchestrated the suspension of Alhaji Galadima (CPC General Secretary) and Mr. Sule Hamman (Director General of General Buhari’s campaign organisation) whose activities, they believed, led to the failure the party recorded in the 2011 general elections.

Leaders of the party were, therefore, said to have come to the conclusion that the party would not only be restructured, but also possibly dissolved into the ACN.

According to sources at the meetings, the CPC leaders were told of the necessity of a restructuring ahead of the planned political alliance between the CPC and the ACN.

“If the planned alliance works with the ACN, there is the possibility of dissolving the CPC for a newer political party to emerge, depending on the way discussions on the planned political alliance goes with the ACN,” a chieftain of the party was quoted as telling the meeting.

On Buhari, it was gathered that the cracks within the ranks of the CPC had increased the frustration of managing the party.

A chieftain of the party who confirmed the discontent, especially about the perceived roles of Alhaji Galadima, said some of them could not, however, back his suspension from the party because he (Galadima) was instrumental to their joining the party.

“In recent times, Hamman was aware that so many people blame him and Galadima for perceived dwindling fortunes of the party and the loss at the general elections in 2011 by consistently changing candidates’ names.

“It is quite clear that the controversies have saddened Buhari and as a results, he has decided to engage in direct consultations and talks with the ACN,” a source said.

The planned alliance between the ACN and CPC ahead of the 2011 election collapsed at the last minute over disagreements on sharing of top positions. The ticket was meant to feature a Buhari/Bola Tinubu presidential contest team.

Meanwhile, the party is said to have mobilised its state chapters in readiness for any attempt to arrest its 2011 presidential candidate, General Buhari, in respect of statements credited to him when he received members of the party from Niger State on a courtesy visit to him in Kaduna recently.

A meeting of the party, which reviewed the planned arrest of the former head of state, resolved to galvanise the party to defend Buhari against any arrest in respect of the controversial statement.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/front-page-articles/7402-2015-cpc-may-dissolve-into-acn-why-he-took-over-negotiations-with-acn-tinubu-how-party-broke-into-three-factions