The National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has disclosed that the merger talks among opposition political parties is at a critical stage now, and will definitely solve Nigeria’s political problems when concluded.
He made this known while answering questions from journalists in Kaduna, last week, when he led a delegation of ANPP leaders who paid a condolence visit to General Muhammadu Buhari [rtd] over the death of his daughter.
‘‘The merger talks are ongoing right now. By the grace of God the merger will be successful. We want to give Nigeria effective political competition in the political arena. We believe that competition, which is good in the social and economic arena, is also good in the political arena,’’ Dr Onu said.
‘‘We are convinced that when we have this in the country we will be better off. Many of the problems that have confronted the nation over the years shall be solved. We are hopeful that once we come together and form government, everything will be solved for the good of everybody. I believe nobody is happy about what is happening in the nation today, insecurity, unemployment, poverty. These are serious problems that should not be there. We are sure that as a party we will solve these problems for the good of the nation.’’
Dr Onu led a high-powered delegation to visit General Buhari, including former Executive Governor of Kano State, Mallam [Dr] Ibrahim Shekarau, former BOT Chairman, Gambo Magaji, National Secretary, Alhaji Tijani Musa Tumsah, National Women Leader, Hajiya Ramatu Tijani, National Financial Secretary, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed, and Deputy Chairman, ANPP BOT, Rear Admiral Amosun [rtd].
The delegation which arrived General Buhari’s Kaduna offices at 1;07pm were ushered into the dining room where Buhari received them in a brief ceremony, before they went into a closed door meeting with the General in his inner office, which lasted for about fifteen minutes.
Dr Onu, speaking on behalf of the ANPP leaders at the reception, said, ‘‘When we heard about the death our eyes were filled with tears. It is not easy for a father to bury a daughter. The ANPP deemed it very important to come and condole with you. The Almighty who created her will receive her soul and grant you and your family the strength to bear the pain.’’
Buhari, while responding, said, ‘‘I welcome you all, my former colleagues in the ANPP. I see familiar faces around, because I used to be there. I thank you for coming to be with us at this moment of loss. Ramatu was a beloved member of this family. I also lost her brother through sickle cell when he was just a year and two months old.
‘‘Unlike his late brother, Ramatu grew up, and has three children, the last of them, which was delivered of her through a caesarian session is two weeks and one day old today. The baby is doing very well. I go to see them everyday before coming to my office. I thank you very much for coming; I am happy that you could make it. May God make it possible for all of us to go back to your various destinations in peace.’’
Also in the reception for the ANPP visitors was the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.