Written by Ademola Adebayo
Following the defeat of the Congress for Progressive Change CPC in the recently concluded April elections, and the idea of a Government of National Unity which is being touted, the party’s presidential flag bearer has stated that neither him nor his party the CPC need anything from the People’s Democratic Party-led government.
In a telephone conversation with Daily Trust online, spokesman to General Mohammadu Buhari, Yinka Odumakin said the rigging mechanism which the PDP put in place during the last elections guaranteed them victory, but promised that the victory will be short lived. Mr Odumakin reiterated the CPC’s readiness to head to court with ample evidence that the PDP rigged the elections. According to Odumakin, “There cannot be any unity between election riggers and those who won the elections freely and fairly. Until the results of the elections go through examinations, there cannot be any unity government”.
Mr Odumakin stressed the need for the ballot papers to go through forensic examinations, and according to him, “…only then can we give INEC the much desired pass mark”. Conflicting signals from the ACN
But this may well be a case of different strokes for different folks as the some parties within the Action Congress of Nigeria ACN has stated their readiness to work with President Jonathan’s proposed Government of National Unity.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria NAN, Tuesday, chairman of the party in Ekiti State, Chief Jide Awe said that ACN did not see anything wrong in joining the government of the President-elect if it was to add value to governance and move the nation forward. According to him, Jonathan will have to first convince the party that he will not derail from the good attributes which made him secure the votes of people in ACN strongholds.
He described the President-elect as larger than his frame and completely distinct from what people had come to know of his party.
He also said that if Jonathan chooses to appoint without consultation, the party would assess the credibility of such nominees before drumming its support.
His position was immediately countered by both the National Secretary of the party, Senator Lawal Shuaibu and the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. Both said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) will never participate in any Government of National Unity (GNU) by whatever name it is called.
They also disowned the Ekiti State chapter chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe and his comments, saying he was on his own and cannot speak for the party.
They said even the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has ruled out any form of serving in President Jonathan.
“He is on his own. Our national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, at his last press conference said we are incompatible with PDP and will not have any form of collaboration not to talk of GNU,” Senator Shuaibu said.
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