G7 governors’ defection not a threat to 2015 – Presidency

The defection of the aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not be a

threat the PDP or the presidency in the 2015 election, the Presidency

said on Tuesday.

It also said that the defection was long overdue and a welcome

development as well.

Five of the seven governors, on Tuesday, met at the Kano State lodge

in Abuja and finalised their decision to merge with the APC.

The G7 governors, who joined the merger include Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers

State), Ahmed Abdulfatah (Kwara), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wamako

(Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), had earlier in the day announced a

merger of the Baraje faction of the PDP with the APC, but Governor

Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Sule Lamido of Jigawa state backed

out.

Speaking with journalists at the Presidential Villa, the Special

Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulak, said the

Presidency did not feel threatened in anyway and PDP was still the

party to beat.

"The Presidency does not feel threatened, PDP does not feel

threatened. PDP is the party to beat. We have had it before, even

people who occupied higher offices left the party and came back to the

party. Outside there, there is nothing, its empty. PDP is the only

party," he said.

Gulak said that the PDP would still welcome the governors if they

decide to come back to the party. "Reconciliation is an ongoing

process, if they go outside there like those that went there before

them and taste that the outside there is empty they are always

welcomed back home like we did before," he said.

The Presidential aide also said it was good that the governors finally

decided to show the world where they truly stand so that the PDP can

focus on building itself. He added that a lot of people were waiting

for the aggrieved governors to clearly state their position and make

room for others who are willing to come into the fold of PDP.

Gulak said, " I know as of fact that five of them say that they will

now join APC. But I know two issued statements that they are not part

of that, Governor of Niger and Governor of Jigawa State. This is the

fact on ground and I believe those others, for long time and I have

said it before, that their hearts have not been in PDP.

"It is good that they have shown the world that they have taken a

stand. So that PDP will not be distracted, so that PDP as a party will

be focused to build the party because a lot of people are waiting for

this moment. A lot of people even in the APC, ACN, ANPP have contacted

me severally that they want to come back to PDP and they were just

waiting for what happened today to happen. And to us, it is a good

development," he added.