Following speculations that the recent deregistration of political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would bring about several mergers among parties in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed any such possibilities as far as they are concerned, saying that they are strong enough to remain a formidable force, come 2015. This was made known by the party’s National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, who said that while the party was ready to accept the members of the recently deregistered parties as individuals, they are not ready to accept them as parties.
According to him, “We can accept as individuals but not as parties. PDP cannot merge with any other party. Our constitution does not give room for the PDP to merge with any other party. So, any of the deregistered parties or any other party that is interested in joining PDP will be welcomed, but our party will not be involved in any merger,” he said.
The PDP have also made it clear that they are not bothered by any attempts by other parties to merge. According to the National Secretary of the PDP, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the mergers and alliances planned to defeat the party in 2015 would fail. His words: “Honestly speaking, ganging up is an indication of some weaknesses. Why can’t a party stand on its own and contest elections if it is sure that it would be acceptable to the people? You don’t need to gang up. It has never succeeded; it will not succeed.”
Source: Punch Nigeria