The Interim National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Movement Party, PDM, Bashir Yusuf, said on Friday that with the registration of the new party, politics in Nigeria will not remain the same again.
In a text message he sent to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Yusuf explained that members of the party had been trying to register the party since 1994, but the military government of the late Sani Abacha denied it that privilege.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Friday announced the registration of two new parties – PDM and Independent Democrats (ID).
“The registration of PDM is a good development. We’ve been trying to register it since 1994 but the military government of that time of that day stood in the way,” Mr. Yusuf said.
“Politics is Nigeria will never be the same again. PDM is real alternative Nigerians have been waiting for because I have no doubt in my mind it will change the present decadent order and try to fix Nigeria for all of us, not for sections, religion or tribes but for all of us.
“Most of all, Nigerian youth, women and underprivileged can now have a party on which they can depend. We will invest in the future of Nigeria through our women, youth and the underprivileged who need the Nigerian state to be there for them.”
The national chairman could not, however, confirm PREMIUM TIMES’ inquiries, if a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar was part of the new party.
He did not also respond to a question if the party hoped to beat the ruling PDP in any of the future elections.
Mr. Abubakar had on Thursday confirmed that though he still remained a loyal member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which he was a foundation member, his associates were planning to register PDM. He contended that they had the right to associate with any group.
The INEC Chairman’s spokesman, Kayode Idowu, could not confirm the promoters of the new parties, saying “since they met the registration requirements, our duty is to register them.”
