Nasarawa 2015: Ewuga, others to leave PDP for APGA

By Ali Abare Abubakar

Ahead of the scheduled primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, there are strong indications that Sen Solomon Ewuga (PDP, Nasarawa North) is set to ditch the party for the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

The move, according to sources, may not be unconnected with his frustrations within the PDP regarding his gubernatorial ambition.

The source who spoke under the condition of anonymity, added that uncertain of his fate in the party, Ewuga has directed some of his loyalists to join the APGA, preparatory to his joining them in the event he failed to clinch the gubernatorial ticket under the PDP.

The source equally disclosed that a serving federal lawmaker, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP, Rep Ishaq Kana (PDP, Keffi/Kokona/Karu), knowing that he may not secure the ticket to seek re-election under the PDP, has already obtained APGA expression of intent form ahead of his formal defection to the party.

“Hon. Solomon has already joined APGA and you can see his campaign posters everywhere. He is vying for a seat at the state House of Assembly. He informed me that Ewuga instructed them to join APGA before the lawmaker joins them later” the source disclosed.

Explaining further, the source added that the ensuing scuffle between Ewuga and the immediate past Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, which has led to a sharp division among their supporters, may have informed the lawmaker’s decision to consider an alternative platform for him to achieve his ambition to govern Nasarawa State.

Presently, about 13 aspirants have emerged to contest for the chance to fly the flag of the PDP in the gubernatorial election, with former governor Aliyu Akwe Doma said to be ahead of the pack, with neither Ewuga nor Maku in any position to clinch the ticket, prompting Ewuga to seek an alternative platform to actualize his ambition.

“All disgruntled politicians in the PDP who aspire for elective positions but who feel that the internal party wrangling may after all not favour them, are now planning to leave the party to join APGA. In the next assembly, members will emerge from three parties, APC, PDP and APGA” the source stated.