I’m not in talks with PRP, says Moghalu

The 2019 presidential candidate of Young Progressives Party (YPP), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has denied talking with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) preparatory to joining the party.

Moghalu told The Guardian that there were no such talks, stressing that his withdrawal from the YPP was not to prepare the ground for defection.

The former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said he was giving himself over to mobilising Nigerians for effective and inclusive democracy, even as he expressed his belief that non-partisan pursuit of electoral reforms and education of voters about their roles in a democracy were the keys to achieving a real democracy.

He stated: “I have taken the decision in order to focus, at this time, on non-partisan engagement for political-cum-electoral reform and civic education through the non-partisan citizens’ movement, To Build A Nation (TBAN), which I am the convener.”

Referring to the acceptance letter of his resignation from YPP, Moghalu said his former party wished him well “in the herculean task of nation building”.

He pointed out that “while in YPP, our political journey was strictly anchored on the need for transformational leadership, where leaders and followers can raise one another to higher levels of morality, transparency and accountability in governance.”

Although the National Publicity Secretary of YPP, Egbeola Martins, could not say whether Moghalu would be re-admitted into the party for future political engagements, he said: “YPP could not have had a better candidate in the 2019 presidential election.

“The party will remain open to progressive ideas and like minds willing to forge a partnership that will end the current reign of political tyranny in the country. Our tenets, which make our platform attractive to visionary, unselfish and credible young leaders, have not changed and we intend to continue to improve on same until we are able to galvanise the critical mass.”

The sight of Moghalu and the immediate past chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, who is now a chieftain of PRP, excited speculations of a possible move by the former CBN deputy governor to PRP.