2019: Coalition, nPDP insist PDP must change its name to accommodate their interests

- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is under pressure from the coalition of 36 political parties and the new PDP bloc within APC to change its name

- Kola Ologbondiyan, the national publicity secretary of the PDP, said the party would take a decision on the name change based on a panel’s submissions

- Ologbondiyan said that as a party, the PDP was not considering a change of name, but that other parties, which demanded a coalition with it, had insisted

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership is currently under intense pressure from the coalition of 36 political parties and the new PDP bloc within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to change its name as a condition to form an alliance.

Investigations by Sunday Punch, revealed that the PDP and the various parties would have metamorphosed into a mega political party if the leadership of the main opposition had succumbed to the pressure to change its name before now.

Majority of PDP leaders were, however, positively considering the option of a name change as a sacrifice the former ruling party would make in order to defeat the APC in 2019.

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A source within the party said that the PDP might cease to exist within the next few weeks as negotiations were at an advance stage to dissolve it into a new group that would emerge as a mega party.

He said: “What the PDP leadership is planning will not be like the merger that led to the formation of APC. We will not apply to INEC for a change of name. The time is too short to do such things and we should be careful to avoid the arrangement being frustrated.

“We have new political parties which have not done anything wrong to offend Nigerians. Our thinking is that the PDP and the coalition of other political parties will fuse into the party.”

Dr. Eddy Olafeso, the vice-chairman of the PDP, South West geopolitical zone, confirmed that heavyweight politicians and groups, who left the PDP before the 2015 elections, were pressing the party for a change of name.

Olafeso stated that the Kawu Baraje-led new PDP group for instance, was strongly disposed to the renaming of the party in order to win the confidence of the electorate.

“We have spoken with many of them (new PDP) and they are desirous of returning to the PDP. The outcome of their engagement with us is a possibility of a name change.

“My opinion is that the alphabets – PDP – did not offend Nigerians but since the coalition is pressing for it, that means we all have to make sacrifices to change this ineffective government.

“If there is the need for us to do certain things to accommodate other parties, we are willing to make the sacrifice. We all must collectively work together to salvage this nation,” he added.

Kola Ologbondiyan, the national publicity secretary of the PDP, in an interview on Friday, May 18, said the report of the Liyel Imoke’s committee on the issue (consulting other parties), which is expected to be submitted on Wednesday, May 23, would determine whether the name of the former ruling party would be changed or not.

The national secretary said that PDP would take a decision based on the panel’s submissions.

He further explained that the issue of a name change was not the idea of the PDP but that of former members who said they would not want to return to the old PDP which they left.

Ologbondiyan said: “In order to address their concerns, the party set up the contact and integration committee led by a former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to liaise with individuals, groups and political party leaders who want to either return or join the PDP.

“It is the outcome of the committee’s findings and report that will form the basis of the party’s decision to either adjust its name or retain the current PDP.

“The party will have to look at the legal implications. The committee will submit its report latest by Wednesday next (this) week except if it is extended. The report will be subjected to legal scrutiny and advice.”

The opposition party on Saturday, May 19, reiterated that the suggestion that it should change its name was not its idea.

Ologbondiyan in Abuja on Saturday, May 19, said that as a party, the PDP was not considering a change of name, but that other parties, which demanded a coalition with it, had insisted that the former ruling party changed its name to accommodate their interests.

The spokesman explained that the Imoke committee had been holding a series of meetings with groups and individuals which he declined to name.

In response to questions about the calibre and the number of people so far approached by the PDP to join the coalition, he said talks were still ongoing.

Ologbondiyan added: “The Liyel Imoke-led committee is working very hard to achieve the goals set for it and we are confident that the outcome of its work will be positive.

“The committee was scheduled to submit its report on Wednesday this week, but based on a request by the committee, the party has granted it a two-week extension to enable it to conclude its assignment.”

On the issue of a name change, he stated, “The people who want to join us are the ones suggesting that we make adjustments to our name, not a total change of name.

“The committee is meeting with individuals and groups who are willing to join us. I don’t want to pre-empt the committee’s report; what I can say is that the doors of the PDP are open to all who are interested in rescuing Nigeria from the very difficult position we are in today.”

Chief Okey Nwosu, the chairman of the African Democratic Party (ADP), when contacted said he was not aware of the condition given to the PDP.

“I don’t know the meetings they have been having with Baba (Obasanjo) and his group. So, the ADC is not meeting with the PDP but some critical stakeholders in our party may have been meeting with them,” he added.

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There are reports that major opposition parties and third force elements were holding joint and separate talks with a view to forging an alliance and fielding one presidential candidate in 2019.

According to the report, the parties that are participating in the ongoing discussions include the PDP, the Olusegun Obasanjo-backed ADC, and the Chief Olu Falae-led Social Democratic Party.

In a previous report by Legit.ng, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly planning to field a serving governor as its presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections.

Daily Trust reports that the party’s decision to field a serving governor for its presidential ticket was prompted by the need to find someone that would be covered by executive immunity till May 29, 2019.

Some PDP chieftains told the newspaper that the party was exploring several other options as well but that getting a saleable serving governor would not be an easy task.

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Source: Legit.ng