APC warned by nPDP members that it will lose 12 states and 4m votes if they leave the party

AGGRIEVED members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who constitute a faction called nPDP have warned that the party will lose 12 states and about 4m votes if they defect and join another political body.

 

Over the weekend, the nPDP met in Abuja and warned that they are considering defecting from the party enmasse. Originally members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), members of the nPDP defected to the APC before the last election in 2015 but have since become disillusioned with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, being particularly frustrated by the fact that he will be seeking a second term.

 

Among those who attended the  Abuja meeting were senate president Bukola Saraki, speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. They have since met with vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa, where they told him that they are considering their options.

 

Among the ministers who were invited to the meeting with the vice president include agriculture minister Chief Audu Ogbeh and the minister of science and technology, Dr Ogbonaya Onu. Apparently, the meeting was reportedly cordial and Professor Osinbajo spoke convincingly with the aggrieved faction.

 

At the gathering, the aggrieved nPDP members warned them defecting could cost the APC its hold on power. It is expected that their concerns will now be passed to President Buhari so he can address them.

 

One source at the meeting said: “The vice-president agreed that among those of them gathered, they represented 12 states, amounting to 4m votes and it was clear that without those gathered, the party cannot win in those states.”

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