Opposition parties dump alliance for merger •CPC, ACN, others plan grand coalition •The Tinubu birthday connection

As the effects of the concluded convention of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] continue, two leading opposition parties in the country have abandoned their original plan to form alliance in favour of full merger ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The Congress for Progress Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had, since the beginning of the year, launched coordinated negotiation to forge a united front to confront the PDP in future elections, a development that was confirmed by many leaders of both parties.

Following recent development on the political landscape, however, Sunday Tribune can authoritatively report that leaders of both parties have expanded their collaboration agenda to full merger with leaders on both sides said to be very passionate about the new plan.

Findings showed that the leaders of both the ACN and CPC, in their recent meetings, accepted the reality that only a strong grand coalition can dislodge the PDP in 2015, a position said to have been consummated during the recent birthday celebration of Senator Bola Tinubu.

Leaders of the CPC who were estranged from the ACN national leader during the last election were said to have attended with a high-powered delegation which mission was only just celebration, but also nocturnal consultation on the planned grand coalition.

“We were in Lagos and we had fruitful discussions. We are moving beyond alliance. We are entering into merger. That is our best bet to stop the PDP in 2015,” a top opposition leader from the Middle Belt confided.

Leaders involved in the talks, including General Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Tinubu, Pastor Tunde Bakare and others,  are said to have resolved to put aside their individual political ambitions and work towards building a united front capable of wresting power from the ruling party.

Sunday Tribune was told that the merger is also being expanded beyond the two main opposition parties to include other credible parties which have demonstrated dislike for the ruling PDP.

In the new arrangement, it was learnt, both the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are not included, due to what a source called the close affinity between the two parties and the ruling PDP. It was, however, not clear whether the new party of Chief Chekwas Okorie, the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA), is involved in the new grand coalition.

Findings also showed that the opposition leaders are looking towards benefitting from what they see as an impending implosion within the ruling party due to the battle for the party‘s presidential ticket, especially in view of the emerging push for President Goodluck Jonathan to seek second term in 2015.

Already, strong voices are emerging from Northern figures against its recent convention and increasing reports that the president will stand for re-election for Presidency in 2015.

That expectation of benefitting from disaffections within the PDP was said to have been heightened by the open identification with Senator Tinubu during his birthday by some prominent PDP leaders who are known to be opposed to the status quo within the ruling party.

Mr. Osita Okechukwu, a governorship candidate of the CPC in Enugu, who volunteered to speak on the planned merger, said “we are inspired by the result of Senegalese presidential election.