Abbas Jimoh
2 July 2009
Abuja — The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) is meeting in Abuja today over the political situation in country, especially those happenings that are directly connected to the wellbeing of the party. Among other things, the party's leadership is meeting to review the successes or otherwise of President Umaru Yar'adua's Government of National Unity (GNU) which the party joined in controversial circumstances in the early days of this government.
The national publicity secretary of the party, Emma Eneukwu confirmed to Daily Trust that top among the issues slated for deliberations include the party's continuous participation in the GNU; the mega party being put together to challenge the PDP in 2011; court cases involving the party as well as the political crisis in Bauchi State.
Certain crises clearly prompted by the GNU appear to have destabilised the bearing of the party. First, the GNU is known to have deepened the rift between the leadership of the party and its presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari. Secondly, Governors Isa Yuguda and Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi of Bauchi and Zamfara States respectively claimed that they abandoned the party largely because of crises resulting from GNU crisis. Though this position is arguable, at least the issue has given room for politicians to have excuses to frustrate the party.
Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State also said that discussions on the GNU, which has polarized the party, would be the main focus of today's meeting. The party's leadership has come under heavy criticism by members since it went into the GNU.
Governor Shekarau was quoted on a radio programme in Kano as saying that the NEC of the ANPP will decide whether or not to remain in the GNU after appraising all conditions attached to it at the formative stage. The six conditions include the provision of effective electoral system; review of all contracts hurriedly awarded at the twilight of former President Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure; and provision of stable electricity. He said Yar'adua accepted to run the GNU based on all the terms agreed upon with other political parties.
Shekarau dispelled the opinion that it was the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) that requested GNU's formation, saying it was the president himself who saw the need for a broad-based government that will be accepted by all.
He also said the allocation of ministerial and other key government positions to opposition parties was not part of the conditions, as this came much later after the agreement had already been sealed.
On the important issue of electoral reform which also formed part of the conditions for ANPP's participation in the GNU, he said that the recommendations of the Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) will feature prominently during today's meeting. The question therefore is, how far have these conditions been met to warrant ANPP's continuous participation in the GNU?
The interim report of the National Reconciliation Committee (NRC) of the party led by Alhaji Bashir Tofa shows that majority of the party's membership is still in opposition to the GNU arrangement.
"More than 90 percent of those who spoke to us expressed serious apprehension and disapproval of the party's involvement with the Government of National Unity. They say it cripples the idea of the party as an opposition party and the ANPP has to share the blame with PDP for looting of, and almost destroying the country," the report said. Sincerity and will power may, however, save the day if those who might be brushed and bruised can stomach their pride and allow the party to grow above them. May be Gen. Buhari and others may reaffirm their faith in the party, may be the party will gain new membership; the outcome of today's meeting has far reaching implications for ANPP and Nigeria.
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