by Fredrick Nwabufo,
The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) says it is on a mission to rescue Nigerians from the “inept” leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party was unveiled on Monday, and Raymond Dokpesi, chairman of DAAR Communications; owners of AIT, and some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were in attendance.
The party, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally registered on Wednesday, said it was determined to redefine partisan politics in the country.
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In a statement issued by Asandia Hogan, its interim national publicity secretary, a few minutes after INEC announced the names of five newly registered political parties, the fledging APDA said it was the true party for Nigerians.
“We wish to state here again that APDA is the true party of the Nigerian people. We are determined to redefine partisan politics and political administration in the country. We have a social contract with Nigerians and this is driven by a deliberate, conscious and patriotic conviction that the time has come for us to institute a national political platform that will accommodate all of us as we strive to meet our individual and collective dreams and aspirations,” the statement read.
“We say this in recognition of the fact that APDA as a political movement arose out of the despondency in the land. Nigeria as a country is saddled with an inactive and inept behemoth masquerading as a ruling party. It is an indisputable fact that the government of the day has failed the people. Hunger and poverty are ravaging the land and there is no hope for a better tomorrow under the present order. Much more regrettable is the fact that there is no viable opposition in the land to put the failing government on its toes. A situation like this, calls for redress and APDA is offering itself to undertake this rescue mission. To achieve our broad goals and objectives, we have put together a holistic manifesto which will be the basis of our social contract with the Nigerian people.
“We wish to assure Nigerians that APDA will introduce values that are premised on an inclusive Nigerian society that is founded on the principles of freedom, equality, solidarity and fairness. All we ask of you is to trust and believe in us. Together, we can make Nigeria the country of our dream. As we say in APDA, we are truly stronger together.”
Some disgruntled members of the PDP are believed to be the sponsors of the party.
The PDP is currently locked in a leadership battle between Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff. The supreme is expected to deliver judgment on the issue later this month.