A former National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, on Friday, met with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.
The meeting, which lasted for about 45 minutes, was speculated as part of the plan by Ogbulafor to dump PDP for APC.
But Ogbulafor, who had once boasted that the PDP would rule Nigeria for at least 60 years, denied that he planned to dump the party.
The former PDP boss, while addressing journalists after the meeting, said the possibility of his defection to the APC could not be ruled out.
“I have been National Chairman, National Secretary and Minister. I will remain in PDP until it becomes necessary to make a change,” he said.
Ogbulafor insisted that he was at the APC secretariat to congratulate the party’s national chairman on its victory in the just concluded general elections.
Ogbulafor said his boast that PDP would rule for at least 60 years collapsed because of the Nigerian Governors Forum crisis.
His encounter with journalists went thus:
We are surprised you are here sir?
I just came back into town yesterday (Thursday) and I came to congratulate the national chairman of APC for a job well done.
Don’t you think some of your party members in the PDP might read meaning to this?
How can they feel offended? I am still in PDP.
Are you considering joining APC?
Not yet. Even if I will, not yet.
How do you feel about Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the presidential poll?
I am very happy.
But sir, we recalled that you once said PDP would rule for 60 years.
Well, when they dismantled Governors Forum, what do you expect?
But you are coming to associate with APC?
I am a Nigerian.
Won’t it be treated as anti-party by your party?
I am a Nigerian. APC has produced the president of this country and I have to congratulate the party for a job well done.
Are you still in PDP?
Why not?
How would you describe the election in Abia, your home state?
When they conclude it, you will get the result.
How soon should we be expecting you in APC?
I have been National Chairman, National Secretary and Minister. I will remain in PDP until it becomes necessary to make a change.
The National Chairman (South) of the APC, Chief Segun Oni, however, said the meeting between Odigie-Oyegun and Ogbulafor was a private one.
Oni said the meeting had nothing to do with Ogbulafor’s planned defection to the APC.
The former Ekiti State governor said, “I saw him (Ogbulafor) but I think it is a private visit he came for. Don’t forget, the National Chairman is his friend and some of us are also his friends.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with him coming to the APC.”
Oni said APC would be happy to receive the former PDP boss into the party.
He insisted that Ogbulafor’s visit to the APC secretariat should not create any room for speculation.
Oni said, “Of course, we will be very happy if he comes to the APC, but that is just not the purpose of his visit.
“He came to visit his friend and to congratulate us.”
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