Prominent Northern politicians are the brains
behind the newly registered Peoples
Democratic Movement (PDM) in what is the
clearest indication yet from the North about
its intention to give President Goodluck
Jonathan a run for his money in the 2015
presidential race.
The PDM was registered yesterday alongside
Independent Democrats (ID) by the
Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), 24 hours after news broke of the filing
of an application for registration by the group
founded by the late General Shehu Yar’Adua.
Top on the list of the major promoters of the
newly registered PDM is Alhaji Bashir Yusuf
Ibrahima who is also a member of the
Northern Political Leaders’ Forum(NPLF) led by
ex-Minister Adamu Ciroma.
He is the protem National Chairman of the
party.
Some former ministers in the cabinet of ex-
President Olusegun Obasanjo and serving
senators and members of the House of
Representatives are also said to be bankrolling
the PDM.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was
initially mentioned as one of the promoters of
the party said on Thursday he remained in the
PDP, but said he could not stand in the way of
any of his supporters who might want to join
the PDM.
Its registration has the potential to be a major
political changer as many aggrieved members
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from
the North are likely to defect to the new party.
Confirming the registration of the PDM and ID
yesterday, INEC Secretary, Mrs. A.C. Ogakwu,
said: “The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) has registered two new
political parties in accordance with the
provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) and
the Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended).
“The newly registered parties are the
Independent Democrats (ID) and the Peoples
Democratic Movement (PDM).
“The constitution, manifesto, logo/flag and list
of national executive ffficers of each party
have also been approved by the commission.”
The commission last night posted on its
website the names of officials of the new
parties as follows:
PDM- National Chairman, Bashir Yusuf
Ibrahim; National Secretary, Dr. Joseph O.
Akinwumi; National Treasurer, Gagogo
Emmanuel; National Financial Secretary, Aku
Cecilia Betzom; and National Legal Adviser,
Barr. Kabiru Umaru Dodo.
ID:National Chairman, Edozie Madu; National
Secretary, Tobi Adeniyi; National Treasurer,
Ahanmisi Izegwuma Abigail; National Financial
Secretary, Whetode Desire; and National Legal
Adviser, Charles Ibeh.
NPLF’s scribe to lead new party
Alhaji Bashir Yusuf was Secretary of the NPLF
under the Ciroma leadership.
He was also a one-time Political Adviser to ex-
VP Atiku and served as his agent during the
PDP presidential primary in January 2011.
It was also learnt that ex-Minister of
Education, Prof. Babalola Borishade, might
head the think-tank team of the PDM.
A source close to the group said: “The PDM is
a platform for freedom from the stranglehold
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We are
providing Nigerians an alternative platform to
make their choice. If President Goodluck
Jonathan wants to keep the PDP to himself, let
him do so now that there is an alternative.
“This is why ex-ministers, key Northern
leaders, senators and members of the House of
Representatives are queuing behind this new
party.
“The real battle for 2015 poll has started; the
PDM will work with like minds to give
Nigerians an alternative in 2015.”
Responding to a question, the source said:
“When we get to the appropriate stage, we may
work with parties of like minds, including the
All Progressives Congress (APC), to effect a
change in 2015.
“We will ensure that all Nigerians are carried
along irrespective of tribe or religion.”
On the speculations that Borishade is actively
involved in driving the strategy of the new
party, the source added: “Borishade had
always been the strategist to the PDM before
ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo snatched him
from Atiku.
“It was Atiku that lost Borishade to Obasanjo.
Now the PDM has regained Borishade.”
Alhaji Yusuf, who spoke briefly with our
correspondent last night, said: “The
registration is a good development. Politics in
Nigeria will never be the same again.
“The PDM is the real alternative Nigerians are
waiting for because I have no doubt in my
mind that it will challenge the present
decadent order and try to fix Nigeria for all of
us, not for sections, religions or tribes, but for
all of us.”
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