A group of youths identified as the Northern People’s Democratic Party Youth has warned the national leadership of the PDP against allowing Chief Femi Fani-Kayode to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The group in a statement on Sunday signed by its Zonal Youth Leader, Hon. Ibrahim Ahmadu warned that allowing Fani-Kayode to join the APC might spell doom for the PDP in the 2023 general elections.
To this end, it gave the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Working Committee (NWC) a twenty-four-hour ultimatum to meet with Fani-Kayode and give assurances that he is not going to dump the PDP for APC.
Ahmadu said, “it is very unfortunate and sad that the leadership of the PDP leadership could allow such a prominent figure in the party leave.”
“After a series of deliberations and wide consultations, We the Northern youth group of PDP have decided to give the BOT, NWC a 24 hours ultimatum to meet with chief Femi Fani-Kayode and persuade him to return to the party. A failure to do that will result in untoward and unimaginable outcomes for the party.”
While acknowledging the constitutional right of Fani-Kayode to join any party, Ahmadu insisted that the move will hurt the PDP.
“Though he has the right to join any party, it is going to be a disaster for PDP to allow such a vibrant and dogged political figure, who has wide contacts and followers across Nigeria, including international community to leave the party,” he said.
“We can confidently say that the ruling APC has been very smart with the attempt to snatch Chief Fani-Kayode to their fold. Though Fani-Kayode has the right to join whatever party but the PDP must ensure it does everything possible to ensure he returns to the party because losing such a huge figure can only spell doom for the party.”
The group described Fani-Kayode as a loyal party member who has proven his commitment to the PDP over many years.
“We commend Chief Fani-Kayode for his efforts over the years at promoting the PDP and fight for the rights of the oppress and the downtrodden who the present Buhari government has no regards for. Fani-Kayode is a strong opposition voice in the country and leaving the PDP to APC is a special gain for the ruling party.”
Naija News recalls there have been rumours that the former Aviation Minister and PDP chieftain is set to dump the party. These rumours were further fuelled when the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello recently declared that Fani-Kayode has joined the APC.
However, the PDP insists there has been no communication from Fani-Kayode on leaving the party while he himself has stated that he remains a member of the PDP.
Meanwhile, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said only politicians driven by covetousness would leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stated this while speaking on Sunday during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.
Asked if the PDP is falling apart, considering the defection of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi and the rumours of Femi Fani-Kayode leaving the party, Fayose said: “May I say this to you, very clearly. In the book of James one from verse four. The Bible says a man is taken away in his own covetousness. Anyone who leaves PDP for APC at this time must be taken away by his own covetousness.”
On the purported defection of Fani-Kayode, the former governor said FFK is going nowhere, adding that the purported defection is not true as he has spoken to him several times.