mindset of many that the newly registered All Progressives Congress
(APC) was conceived only to wrest power from the rulingPeoples
Democratic Party (PDP) at all costs, it is an ideology committed to
rescuing Nigeria from many years of bad leadership and disappointing
governance.
Fayemi, who spoke exclusively to THISDAY on the underpinning
philosophy of APC, however, described it as a movement and not
apolitical party, adding that "APC is driven by its constitution and
manifesto; it is not driven by individual whims and caprices.
"The primary reason for coming together, for broadening the base is
the fact that we acknowledged that we were too narrow in our
individual party formations. And we wanted a broader national
movement."
According to him, "If you recall our first statement when the
Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) endorsed the merger, we said we
needed APC in order to rescue Nigeria from bad governance.
"It is not about replacing PDP; it is about rescuing Nigeria from bad
governance. We know that there are elements even within PDP that are
not happy with the way our country is being run.
"It is an open secret. But the reality is that we cannot rescue
Nigeria from bad governance if we don't remove PDP from the centre the
way we have done in the south-west by giving the people an alternative
that is driven by compassion, commitment, competence and character.
"APC is a movement; it is not just a political party, and people must
note that very carefully. And when you have such a broad movement, of
course, there are going to be individuals in such movement, not
necessarily representing the very best ideals that the broader
platform represents.
"That is why manifestos are written on the core principles and values
that represent the collectively agreed agenda of the movement."
Fayemi, who was active in virtually all the processes leading to APC's
registration, said the dominant reason for the coming together of the
major opposition parties is to salvage the country from the deepening
retrogression that daily typifies the Nigerian society and breathe
life into the system with the hope of a promising future.
"The issue for all of us as Nigerians is what is the dominant reason
for the party? Is it just to remove the PDP from power or is it to
make a difference in the lives of Nigerians?
"Many of us in the new party believe it is the latter. Detractors will
tell you, it is just to replace the PDP. Time will tell. Our agenda
will tell what we are and we don't need any needless debate with such
people now.
"But we want Nigerians in their various communities and platformsto
own the party. There is now an opportunity to own APC in various
constituencies because registration is going to start very soon.
Mobilisation will be on course; we will not restrain anybody.
"We shall listen to all Nigerians even to those who feel that we have
no hope; let them come with their superior ideas and agendas.A party
will always have the good, the bad and the ugly in their membership
but the degree to which the bad succeeds is if they can smuggle their
bad ideas into becoming the dominant idea," he said.
On the chances of APC in the 2015 general election, Fayemi, who is
standing for a re-election sometime next year, said: "We will do
everything within our power and the limit of the constitutionof the
Federal Republic of Nigeria to win the election in 2015.
"We are not in the business of seeking power for its own sake like the
PDP. We are in this business of gaining power legitimately to govern
and make a difference to our people.
"But before 2015, we still have 2014 in some states; we'll have the
dress rehearsal in Ekiti and Osun States for example."
Explaining the basis for forming the Progressive Governors' Forum(PGF)
on February 5 in Lagos, Fayemi said what gave rise to the initiative
was the "genuine concern that some of us have consistently felt within
the broader Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) for a more
ideologically-driven caucus than just the peer learning, solidarity
driven, experience sharing forum that the NGF represents.
"It was not in any way targeted at the PDP even though there is as yet
no PDP governor who is a member of the forum. But I can name a number
of them who share the ideals of progressive politics.
"We started the PGF formally on February 5, 2013, when Governor
Babatunde Raji Fashola hosted us in Lagos, and at thatmeeting, we came
out with a number of core values and principles that will guide our
activities.
"We are social democratic, people-oriented, change-focused and
dedicated to the promotion of selfless, responsive and accountable
leadership."
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