Merger Talk: It's For Atiku's Personal Interest - PRP Chairman

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has rejected former Vice President and presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the arrow head of opposition parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku had indicated interest to lead a coalition of other political parties and Governors to dislodge the APC in 2027 general elections. He argued that only a united opposition force can strengthen democracy in Nigeria, saying“I am as prepared as ever, to lead the charge, alongside all our leaders and Governors, for the good of our country.”

But in what could be seen as a direct reply to the former Vice President Atiku, the National Chairman of PRP Mallam Falalu Bello told journalists at Press conference in Abuja that, Atiku's call for a merger was for his personal interest.

The party Chairman who was accompanied by Mr Kola Abiola and Mr Haruna Haro Zego, the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates respectively and other members of his National Executive council, said PRP as a party has nothing in common with the APC and PDP who are clearly the same. He said if you are going to bed, you should look for someone you can sleep well with.

In his statement:

“The PRP is not against alliance or merger but we do that based on principle not based on Atiku trying to be President. We are not going to be a party to any alliance that is not in line with oir principles. The only thing we have in common with PDP is that we are all political parties. 

“Ideally, Labour Party should be our partner. They came here before election to talk to us but they were more concerned in who will become the presidential candidate. I don’t believe in what PDP stands for. I know Atiku since 1984 as a person, but that is a different matter on whether I like his policy or not. We believe in alliance or merger but we should have alliance with people of like minds.”

According to Bello the former Vice President has been part of a government that contributed to the challenges Nigeria is facing as a country.

In his own comment, the Presidential candidate of PRP in the 2023 election Mr Kola Abiola said, the merger talks between the PDP, LP NNPP were more of a reunion of former members of the same political party. He said there is a big difference between a merger and bringing back people who were in the same party.