A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Farouk Aliyu, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to resolve its internal crisis or consider merging with the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Aliyu gave the advice during an interview on a national television programme, stressing that unity and concessions within the PDP were necessary for the survival of the party and the health of Nigeria’s democracy.
“I call on my brothers and sisters in the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress to put their acts together. In my opinion, the PDP should merge with the ADC,” he said.
According to him, if the PDP is truly facing decline, a merger could help revive the opposition and strengthen democratic governance in the country.
He noted that vibrant opposition parties are essential to holding the government accountable.
Aliyu recalled that the APC itself emerged from a merger of several political parties, including the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.
He maintained that it was not the responsibility of the APC to unite opposition parties, adding that respected political actors within the PDP and ADC must take steps to reposition themselves.
The APC chieftain said the ruling party was not afraid of opposition, stressing that Nigeria belongs to all citizens and not to any individual or political party.
His remarks come amid ongoing leadership crises within the PDP and the recent defection of several key party stalwarts, including governors and National Assembly members, to the APC.