17 political parties ready to join PDP, says BOT chair

Nnamani, Nwobodo formerly become APC members
The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Walid Jibrin said about 17 political parties have expressed interest to join the party.

Jibrin, who claimed that they have received notification from the parties, said the PDP has no plan to change its name or sign merger deal with any political group.

The BOT chief who did not reveal the name of the parties, spoke yesterday during the investiture of a member of the House of Representatives, Jonathan Gaza Gbwefi as an honorary fellow of the Nigeria Psychological Association at new Karu in Nasarawa State.

Jibrin maintained that there was nothing wrong with the PDP, adding the party is planning to end the reign of impunity and give all members a level playing field to operate.

In a related development, a top member of the APC in the South East, Chief Chemberline Okechukwu Adiaso has predicted that the PDP would soon witness mass defection of members to the ruling party.

Adiaso was reacting, at the weekend, to the recent defection of a senator from Akwa Ibom South, Nelson Effiong.

He urged other lawmakers from the South East and South South to quickly move to the APC.

Meanwhile, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani yesterday renounced his membership of the PDP, as he formalised his registration with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nnamani announced his resignation from the PDP last year over what he described as “frequent crisis in the party.”

At his Amechi Uwani ward, Enugu south local council, Nnamani registered with the APC, declaring that his former party has become “a road that leads to nowhere.”

Also, former governor of Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo completed all registration formalities with the APC, a party he joined early last year.

Speaking at the occasion, Nnamani said: “The PDP refused to hear other people’s voices, the party said it is democratic but does not practice democracy. We have talked to no avail and we are waiting to see where this will take the party.”

Nwobodo said he joined the APC to pursue Igbo aspiration as well as contribute to the realisation of the change mantra.