Nigeria Opposition Leader Calls On Rawlings

A leading opposition political member in Nigeria, who is at the forefront pushing for the formation of a two–party state in that country, has paid a courtesy call on Former President Jerry John Rawlings at his Ridge residence in Accra.

Chief Tom Ikimi, who served as a Foreign Minister under the late General Sani Abacha explained his visit was to discuss the political situation in Nigeria, Ghana and the sub region of Africa as a whole.

After a closed door interaction with former President Rawlings on Tuesday, Chief Ikimi told journalists he was in Ghana because sometimes what happens in Ghana reflects in Nigeria.

“We have discussed a number of issues and the politics of the sub region. I am going back to Nigeria fulfilled from this visit which is something, I will continue to do,” he said.

He explained during his tenure as foreign minister, he visited Ghana several times and Mr Rawlings was very helpful to him and the course of the sub region at a time there were crisis in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

“We did everything we can to find peace.”

“I have retired from office as foreign Minister, but still a leader in the political system in Nigeria. I have come to consult with him for us to discuss and get useful advice and tit bits.”

Chief Ikimi is currently a leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which is at the forefront of the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC), an amalgamation of opposition parties with the view to forming a two-party state in Nigeria so as to be able to provide a viable alternative political platform in the country.

The successful merger of such large opposition parties was to help transform the country into a two- major party state as is the case in other major successful democracies in the world.

The amalgamated parties of the APC are the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a major section of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).