Members of opposition political parties in the House of Representatives are in support and commitment to the merger of four political parties to form the All Progressives Congress ( APC).
The Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and All People’s Grand Alliance ( APGA) on Feb.6 announced that they had merged to form APC.
The Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila ( ACN-Lagos), made the position of the parliamentarians known in Abuja on Thursday at a news conference.
According to him, the merger is further aimed at enhancing the transformation of the country.
” We, members of the opposition in the House, want to make it abundantly clear that we are fully and totally in support of the merger for the singular purpose of true transformation of Nigeria.
“Today, over 160 legislators of the House of Representatives from different parties have met to confirm their unflinching support for the merger.
” We find this public affirmation necessary so as to continue to give Nigerian masses the much needed confidence,” he said.
Gbajabiamila said that the merger represented a true coalition that would bring development to the country.
He reiterated the opposition’s readiness to work with President Goodluck Jonathan for the common good of Nigerians.
The legislator called on Jonathan to disregard the advice of those who viewed every criticism as an attack on his personality.
“Going forward and, particularly in 2015, we must encourage issue-based politics and elections,” he said.
He urged Jonathan to quickly sign the 2013 budget into law as the House was ready to work with him to address any grey areas in the budget.
Gbajabiamila said that it would be bad for the National Assembly to override his presidential veto as constitutionally provided.
Rep. Abdulrahman Kawu ( ANPP-Kano), the Deputy Minority Leader, said that the merger would work contrary to the skepticism raised in some quarters.
He said that the merger was done for the enhancement of true democracy in Nigeria.