APC Leaders In Secret Meeting With Atiku

Prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday met with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at his Abuja private residence.
The APC leaders, who met with Atiku behind closed doors for over an hour, described the meeting as a continuation of the party’s consultations with past leaders and stakeholders across the nation.
Those that met with the former vice president included the former head of state; Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), the National Leader of the APC; Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s interim National Chairman; Chief Bisi Akande.
The meeting is coming on the heels of the defection of 37 members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives to the APC.
Atiku, who spoke with journalists shortly after the meeting, said the discussions were very fruitful, stressing that he had always espoused the two party system.
He said that he welcomed the formation of the APC, adding that he would meet with his friends and political associates with the view to taking a decision on the next line of action.
The former Vice President stated further that the formation of the APC was healthy for the nation’s democracy, stressing that it would give the Nigerian people a credible alternative in the 2015 general elections.
Atiku said: “We want to let you know that we had very fruitful discussions and you know I have always believed in a two party structure.
“So I welcome the formation of APC. We have discussed extensively and I will meet with my political associates and friends.
“Most of us have been friends and political associates for over two decades. I will call my stakeholders across the country. We will take a decision and address the press and let you know our decision.
“I congratulated them (APC leaders) and welcomed them because it will improve competition and governance. It is healthy for our democracy.
“Once you have one very strong party and weak ones, there is no way the opposition can check the government in power.
“If the South Africans faced apartheid in the past, Nigeria is facing colonialism. The struggle has been long for the enthronement of democracy in our country.
“It is time we realised we have responsibility to our generation and those yet unborn. I think it (APC) will give Nigerians an alternative during elections. So I told them I will consult with my associates and brief the press later.”
Chief Akande, who led the parry’s delegation, said the visit was to cement a long standing political relationship with Atiku spanning more than two decades.
“We feel that it is necessary to meet people of like minds to rise up and salvage the country. All of us that met here were comrades in politics.
“We only met today to cement that comradeship and all is well cemented. We are moving together to work for this country,” Akande said.