PRP rejects Atiku, PDP as opposition’s rallying point

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has rejected former vice president and the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, as the rallying point of opposition parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party described Atiku and PDP as the same bedfellows as APC, noting that it does not share anything in common with the ruling and main opposition parties.

Atiku had indicated interest in leading a coalition of other political parties to dislodge the APC in 2027.

The former vice president stated that he would lead alongside governors and other political leaders in the opposition parties.

He argued that only a united opposition force can strengthen democracy in Nigeria, saying“I am as prepared as ever, to lead the charge, alongside all our leaders and Governors, for the good of our country,”

But PRP National chairman, Falalu Bello, at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday described Atiku’s call for a merger as self-serving, saying that the former vice president has been part of a government that contributed to the challenges facing the country today.

While clarifying that the PRP was not against the merger, he said the party is known for its ideology and would not want to go into an alliance with any party with different principles.

Bello said: “We have been a political party since 1979. We stand for something but we are not going to merge with any party that do not believe in what we believe in. We are in the left of the spectrum, not in the right. For me, PDP and APC are same thing. Both have ruled us for 25years collectively and we have seen what they did. Is Atiku not the vice president in the PDP government? Are they different. They are all capitalist. China today has the highest number of billionaires and they practice mixed economy.

“When you are going to bed, you should go with someone you can sleep with well. We are who we are and remained consistent as a party. We were once deregistered but fought up to supreme court to get our registration back.

“PRP are not against alliance or merger but we do that based on principle not base on Atiku trying to be president. We are not going to be a party to any alliance that is not in line with oir principles. The only thing we have in common with PDP is that we are all political party.

“Ideally, Labour party should be our partner. They came here before election to talk to us but they were more concerned in who will become the presidential candidate. I don’t believe in what PDP stands for. I know Atiku since 1984 as a person, but that is a different matter on whether I like his policy or not. We believe in alliance or merger but we should have alliance with people of like minds.

Reviewing the 2023 general elections, Bello said the polls were characterised by open voters purchase and bribing of officials, low voter turnout, religious manipulation, violence and malfunctioning of
Bimodal Voter Accreditation System

He warned that if the abnormalities were not corrected, democracy won’t survive in the country.

He advised president Bola Tinubu to emulate late President Umaru Yar’Adua by admitting that the poll that produced him as president was flawed.

He added: “Notwithstanding the declaration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the duly elected President of Nigeria and the affirmation of same by the Supreme Court, the PRP like many other Nigerians for reasons put herein believe his election and most of other elections in 2023 are tainted with so many irregularities as stated in this review.

“For these reasons, the President is being challenged to write his name in gold in the annals of our nations democratic history, by doing what late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua GCFR did with the presidential election of 2007 which brought him to power.

“As recalled, late Yar’adua GCFR was sworn in as the President of the Republic, but publicly admitted that the elections that bought him to power were flawed and began a political reform that was to cure Nigerian elections of all frauds and manipulation by establishing the Justice Uwais Committee on electoral reform in Nigeria.

“Implementations of the 2008 Justice Uwais Report holistically, would have guaranteed independence of INEC; changed the election mindsets of Nigerians responsible for violence in elections, rigging of elections; and built lasting democratic institutions and culture.

Speaking, the PRP presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Kola Abiola said the merger talks between the PDP, LP, New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP was simply a reunion of former members of same political family.

“The merger you see today is a home coming for most of the candidates. NNPP, LP candidates were all PDP members. What they are taking about is not a merger, it is bringing back people who were in same party. We don’t call that a merger or alliance. There is a big difference. We are for mergers but our principles have to align.”