THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have said that the emergence of an opposition merger party, All Progressives Congress (APC) would provide Nigerians opportunity to produce a credible leadership in 2015 for the country, devoid of the present situation with a semblance of a one-party state.
Besides, onetime Governor of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa has also said that by the time the merger processes are completed, Nigeria's democracy would be transformed and the country would be moving towards democratic growth after the 2015 elections.
The ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, who reacted to the merger produced by the opposition parties, said yesterday that, "the merger of the opposition parties is a good development because it could provide choice in a viable alternative platform".
According to Sani, "hitherto the nation's political parties have not provided any choice for the voters, precisely because there have been clones of one another," adding that, "as a result, the choice had been reduced from which political party could deliver on the promise of democracy to which party had the capacity to win elections."
"The upshot had been a democracy without opposition leading to a one-party system, which is a sham. The merger can stop such trend, given the will and determination. Yes, it can do so. At least Nigerians will have a choice in the viable alternative platform by way of the new party. Even the ruling party would like such a situation that can spur it into self-examination for performance."
Sani argued that "the two-party system that may emerge from the present merger by opposition parties in Nigeria will at the end of the day further the cause of national unity, away from the current cleavages along regional and ethnic lines which one party state cannot control."
Musa, who was particularly concerned about the level of alleged mal-administration the ruling PDP has entrenched in Nigeria since the advent of democracy in 1999, said, "the merger is very good, it is relevant and we support it."
"The merger may yield result in 2015 certainly since they said they will invite other political parties. So, they are presently initiating the national talks. And right now it is getting to succeed.
"APC will certainly upset the PDP in 2015 elections by the time the initiatives on ground are concluded. They have said they are going to involve other parties, and by the time the process is concluded, then we will be saying bye-bye to the PDP in Nigeria political affairs," Musa said.
Musa stressed: "If the opposition really continue with this merger idea we can win the 2015 polls; again, people are fed up with the PDP; the party is not performing, and it is even threatening the continuous existence of the country, particularly with this disabling level of corruption, killing and criminal waste."
He added: "The misgovernance of the PDP administration is enough to threaten the country, because for instance, all resources for development are being stolen with impunity. In the end, there is nothing for the development of the nation.
"Where is President Jonathan's performance credential? Has he solved any of the problems that constitute the negative state of the country? Has he solved the problem of insecurity? Has he solved the problem of poverty, corruption, hunger, unemployment, and so on? He has not solved any problem at all? He seems to be making things worse," Musa said.
The Guardian