The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that despite losing control of the federal government and some of its states in the last general election, it is still the truly national political party with strength and spread enough to regain pre-eminence.

The party therefore stated that it was not contemplating a change of identity, noting that the unassailable vision of its founding fathers remains timeless in building a Nigeria of the collective wish and aspirations of all citizens.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, on Sunrday, said having been the guardian of Nigerian democracy for 16 years during which it nurtured and blossomed democratic governance as well as etched its name in the pantheon of good governance, the PDP will not in the circumstance of ephemeral loss of power change its identity or its time-honoured characteristic values.

The party said though it is resolutely committed to its present structures, it would not close its doors to other political parties wishing to be assimilated into its fold as the best vehicle for the fulfilment of political aspirations of all Nigerians regardless of tribe and religion.

“We have a name, tradition and values. 16 fruitful years as the guardian of Nigerian democracy cannot be nullified by the reason of temporary setback. We shall rise beyond all and regain our rhythm. Our colour remains green, white and red and power still belongs to the people. And to assert that we are proud of the successes of our successive leaders in taking Nigeria to its present height is an understatement, which the passage of the next four years under the All Progressives Congress (APC) will certainly prove,” the party said.

It added that the fact that the PDP is going into opposition would not mitigate its ability as the flagship of democracy, maintaining that it will soar higher in proving credible alternative as a constructive opposition, far removed from the wrathful destruction that the APC lived thus far.

“We have no doubt lifted the banner of democracy very high and only wish that the APC will move beyond excuses when it takes over in a  few days time to reconcile mouthful promises with the reality of fulfilment. We have not only laid a solid foundation, we have built to a height that no denial can wish away.
“We therefore call on all our members to ensure that they are not in any way distracted but remain focused as the unity, cohesion and regenerative capacity of the PDP is very much intact, election loss notwithstanding.”

Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) yesterday said there was no move for an alliance or merger with the PDP or any other party, describing any such insinuation as the handiwork of some mischievous people.

There were reports late last week of an impending merger of the PDP with the LP, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hope Party, and KOWA Party to form a formidable mega opposition party to challenge the APC.

It stated that PDP members including Governors Sule Lamido, Godswill Akpabio, Babangida Aliyu and a few others have been pushing for an alliance with other parties. 

According to the report, other PDP chieftains such as former defence chief, Theophilus Danjuma, and former finance minister, Adamu Ciroma, support the move, and have planned for a special convention after the handover on May 29 where a formal merger process would start.

The report also disclosed that the merger option was being considered because the word “PDP” had become toxic and un-sellable to Nigerians and as such, it will be counterproductive to continue to use it as a viable opposition party.

However, while reacting to the reports, LP said it was highly irresponsible for anyone to drag its esteemed name into rumours of an impending merger
In a statement issued  by the National Secretary of the LP, Kayode Ajulo, the party debunked the report as “false and diversionary,” stating that at no time whatsoever had the leadership of the party entered into merger talks with any other party.

“The rumoured talks of a merger between the LP and other parties such as the PDP is a figment of the fevered imagination of some mischievous peoples. Such an issue has not been raised within the party exco at all, and neither has anyone or any party has any agreement on the issue with us.

“It is highly irresponsible for anyone to drag the esteemed name of the Labour Party into rumours of an impending merger. If at all anyone has entered into any such talks, he is doing it strictly on his own, not in the name of the LP,” the National Secretary said.

Ajulo affirmed that political power or relevance for its own sake is not the goal of the LP, adding that the party was committed only to the cause of the Nigerian workers and the masses in general.

“Our goal is not just to seek power or relevance; we are committed to alleviating the sufferings of all Nigerians. We are therefore prepared to work with anyone who will put the Nigerian people first, and seek to bring succour to the homes of Nigerians everywhere across the nation.

“We will cooperate with any government, group and individual that shows with its policies and actions that it truly seeks to bring relief to Nigerians, that is also our desire, so it is only reasonable to cooperate with such groups, if any,” Ajulo said.

He described such a proposition as impossible, “that cannot be. LP is a discipline party, It is impossible for anybody to consider as serious, any talks which exclude the National Secretary of the party as well as the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, so I can assure you that there were no such talks.”

Ajulo, who said he just returned into the country after a trip to Britain as an Accredited International Observer to monitor the just concluded general elections of May 7 in the United Kingdom, also stated that he had remained in close communications with the party’s national chairman and other national  hierarchy all through his trip, and that no mention had been made of any merger talks with anyone.

“Maybe the advocates of such merger are just expressing their wishful thinking. It is my opinion that this allegation is a mere rumour and nothing but a figment of their imagination,” he said.