Posted by From JACOB EDI, Abuja on
The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) on Wednesday agreed to join the President Umar Musa Yar'Adua government with a condition. The party wants a review of all contracts awarded by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo between March 1 and May 29.
The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) on Wednesday agreed to join the President Umar Musa Yar'Adua government with a condition. The party wants a review of all contracts awarded by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo between March 1 and May 29.
This was the highpoint of a joint meeting between the ANPP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, which began on Tuesday. The ANPP presidential candidate in the last elections, General Mohammadu Buhari, has, however, dissociated himself from the talks.
A joint communiqué issued at the end of the meeting also called for the review of the sale of public institutions by Obasanjo between March 1 and May 29.
Similarly, the meeting also agreed that there was an urgent need to undertake a comprehensive review of the electoral act and jointly work for the amendment of the 1999 constitution.
Dr Bello Mohammed (PDP), who read the communiqué, explained that the decision to work together was not for the two parties to dissolve their identities "or pretending that there are no problems," but in line with President Yar'Adua's call for a national consensus in tackling the nation's problem.
Other decisions at the meeting include the urgent resolution of the Niger Delta crisis as well as the cooperation of both political parties in the National Assembly and state houses of assembly for the promotion and achievement of the decision as well as other "issues of mutual and national interest."
Senator Ahmed Sani, former governor of Zamfara State, refused to say categorically what becomes of the court case instituted against the PDP over the last presidential elections.
Those who signed the communiqué are Dr. Mohammed Bello, Governor Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Dr. Hassan Adamu, Mrs. Herbeta Okonofua, John Odey, Toye Olofintuyi, Taminu Yakubu and Chief Benard Eze for the PDP.
On the ANPP side, Senator Sani, who led the delegation, Senator Seidu Kumo, John Odigie Oyegun, Hassani Umar Garba, Emma Eneku and Otunba Stephen Ojo signed.
The Progressive People's Party (PPA) has also agreed to participate in the PDP government.
Specifically, the party agreed on electoral reform, solving the Niger Delta crisis, constitution amendment, revamping the economic sector and improving the general security situation in the country.
PPA officials at the meeting include its National Chairman, Alhaji Suleiman Ahmed, Deputy National Chairman, Comrade Adamu Song, National Publicity Secretary, Olu Akerele and 10 others.
The meeting with Action Congress (AC) began but it was inconclusive as at press time. AC national secretary, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, told reporters when the meeting adjourned at 6.30pm, "we are still talking. We have to go back and consult before we make any decision public in the next 48 hours."
He, however, refused to say if there was any major disagreement.