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The All Nigeria
People Party (ANPP) yesterday said it was withdrawing its members
serving with the federal government as the party puts an end to its
participation in the government of national unity.

The national
chairman of ANPP, Ogbonnaya Onu said the National Executive Council of
the party has directed all its members in the federal government to
withdraw immediately.

Mr Onu, who
recently took over the leadership of the party, had said the ANPP,
under him, will likely pull out of the arrangement entered into by the
former leadership of the party under Edwin Ume-Ezeoke.

“Our great party
has reviewed its position and has come to the conclusion that in the
best interest of our dear country, the new All Nigeria Peoples Party
should no longer participate in the government of National Unity,” Mr
Onu said. “The party therefore calls on all its members who are holding
one position or the other, as a result of the Government of National
Unity, to withdraw their services and return home. Also, in any state
of the federation where there is any such relationship, out great party
wants those affected to take similar action.”

Mr Onu, who said
there is a bright future for the party, added it has reclaimed its
identity as the leading opposition in the country and a party to watch.

He said that in the
last two months he has visited 20 state chapters of the party and will
visit the remaining states. During the visits, he met with religious,
community and political leaders.

Mr Onu said that
since the new leadership assumed office, defections from the party have
reduced considerably and has ceased as of now.

“It is instructive
to point out that as I speak more and more people have been defecting
to our party from other political parties, especially from the ruling
party.”

Bright future

He said the ANPP
has commenced discussions with other opposition political parties who
share similar conviction with the party to ensure that it is successful
in the next general elections.

“Make no mistake
about it; Nigerians deserve and want change for the better. To defeat
hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy, we are asking other opposition
political parties to work with us so that change can take place,” he
said.

Members in government

The party decided,
along with the Progressive Peoples Alliance to serve in the federal
government after the 2007 election when it nominated. As at today, the
party has two ministers in the PDP government. They are the Minister of
State for Finance, Yabawa Lawan Wabi and the Minister of State for
Foreign Aaffairs. The ANPP also has two advisers – Chineme Ume-Ezeoke,
Special Adviser on Civil Society matters and Ebute Ayuk, Coordinator,
Informal sector.

The three governors of the party – from Borno, Yobe and Kano States – attended the NEC meeting.