In what is being described as a major move ahead of the 2023 presidential election, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress has begun talks with four Peoples Democratic Party governors with the aim of getting them to defect to the ruling party, it has been learnt.
It was gathered in Abuja, on Monday, that a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, had met with the Caretaker Chairman of the APC, Mai Mala Buni; and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
A high ranking member of the APC said that while it was true that the party leadership has reached out to Fani-Kayode, the former minister had not yet made any commitment.
According to The Punch, the source, however, described the meeting as fruitful and that “things are looking bright.”
He said, “Fani-Kayode met with Yahaya Bello and Buni on Sunday for two hours. It is all about politics of 2023 and the recent registration drive of the APC.
“Fani-Kayode has not made any commitment yet but discussions are still ongoing.”
When asked to reveal the identities of the four PDP governors planning to defect, the source said it would be unwise to do so at this point.
He explained that the governors were still waiting for certain conditions to be met before making their move.
The source further explained that, “The four governors want assurances that the APC structure in their respective states would be handed over to them once they defect as has been the tradition. That is what is being discussed.
“Some people will also leave APC soon from the look of things. You will keep seeing such realignment ahead of 2023,” he said.
Fani-Kayode could not be reached for comment on Monday.
Fani-Kayode had earlier met with Governor Bello in his Wuse Zone 6 residence in Abuja before he led the former Minister to the party chairman’s Guest House.
Fani-Kayode, a strong critic of the APC, left the party for the PDP on June 2, 2014.
It was learnt that the controversial politician met with the Chairman of APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni as well as Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello at Buni’s guest house in Abuja.
The closed-door meeting, which lasted about an hour, was said to be at the instance of the Kogi State governor, who is also the Chairman of the party’s Mobilisation and Sensitisation Committee in the ongoing membership registration and revalidation.
Source at the meeting said the three men may have concluded plans for the return of the former minister to APC.
Last Sunday, Fani-Kayode met with Governor Bello in his Wuse Zone 6 home in Abuja before moving to Buni’s guest house.
Confirming his meeting with the Kogi State governor, Fani-Kayode on his Twitter page wrote: “It was an honour to have spent quality time with my friend & brother Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State last night. We had a frank, candid, fruitful and productive discussion about the way forward for our country. This is a clear case of politics without bitterness and of building bridges.”
He was silent on his meeting with Buni.
On June 2, 2014, the former aviation minister publicly dumped the ruling party, following what he called irreconcilable differences with some party leaders, and he vowed never to return to the party.
Announcing his resignation from APC, Fani-Kayode had said: “I wish to inform the general public that as at today, June 2, 2014, I have left the APC and gone back to the PDP. I wish the APC well in all their endeavours, but as at today, we have parted ways forever and my spirit has left them.”
