The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have taken a new turn as the Ahmed Markafi faction is rumoured to be behind Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), a new political party which went full stream today in Abuja.
Vigil360 reliably gathered that some aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) belonging to the Ahmed Makarfi faction in collaboration with politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party and other political gladiators officially unveiled the APDA at Reiz Continental Hotel.
The event which was covered live by the AIT, may have added a fresh dynamics in the growing politicking ahead of the 2019 general elections. Former National Charman of Labour Party, Dan Nwanyanwu and Mallam Shittu Mohammed the APDA Interim National Chairman were the most notable political figures at the event. Addressing members of the party, Nwanyanwu hinted that the party was launched to serve as alternative platform to existing political parties which have so far failed Nigerians. He said the party was structured to carry along all categories of people especially youths, women and those with disabilities.
Specifically, Nwanyanwu disclosed that the party would "introduce electoral college system in voting for party positions", stressing that already 30%, 25% and 5% of slots have been reserved for women, youths and people living with disabilities respectively. He explained that since ''…women and youths bear the brunt of bad politics with the habitual use and dump politics, the party was built on a pedestal that would make them critical stakeholders in determining the future of the party and the nation at large”.
The party is widely believed to be sponsored by the Makarfi faction which is currently at the Supreme Court seeking the reversal of an Appeal Court verdict that recognized Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic national chairman of the PDP. Already, some PDP governors including the governors Ayodele Fayose and Nyesom Wike have reiterated their resolve to dump the PDP for another platform if Sheriff wins at the Supreme Court.
Vigil360.com has it on good authority that if the case against the Modu Sherriff faction of the PDP goes his way, the Markafi faction will defect en-mass to APDA. Even the alliance which led to the formation of APC in 2013 is under threat, as the former PDP component may find a new safe haven in the APDA.
At the end of the event, APDA flags were distributed to State Chairmen and other national executives of the party.
