PDP remains largest party in Africa, says Vice Chairman

The PDP lost five of its state governors to the opposition.
The Peoples Democratic Party said it remains the largest political party in Africa in spite of the defection of some of its top members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Five former PDP governors and other top officials left the ruling party, reducing the number of governors it controls to 18 from 23.
Yusuf Ahitogo, the National Vice-Chairman of the party in charge of North-Central Zone, said this on Friday in Obi, Nasarawa State.
Mr. Ahitogo spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on the sideline of the PDP mobilisation tour of the state ahead of the local government elections in the state.
He said that the defection by the members of splinter group would have no effect on the party’s electoral fortunes.
“Whatever happens, the PDP remains the strongest party in Nigeria and by God’s grace it is the one to beat,” he said.
Mr. Ahitogo said that the party would not have any sleepless night as a result of the defection.
“Some of them are not even in control of the party machinery in their states. Now that they have left the party, we can now plan ahead of 2015 general elections.
“Our party remains the largest party in Africa. We are determined to follow the provisions of the party’s constitution which is aimed at transforming the country and also providing the basic needs of our people.
“The past two years have been difficult for us at the zonal level with the loss of Nasarawa State to the opposition in 2011 and this has adversely affected our political activities in the entire North-Central,” he said.
Mr. Ahitogo, however, appealed to leaders of the party to close ranks “as we move closer to 2015 general elections for maximum result”.
(NAN)