By Alex Emeje (Abuja) and Gbenga Faturoti (Osogbo)
July 30th, 2007

He explained at the weekend that the initiative is good for the country, and expressed happiness that the two people nominated by the ANPP were among the 39 Ministers sworn in.

The two are Tijani Kaura and Ibrahim Nakade. Kaura is Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nakade is Minister of State for Information and Communications.

Ume-Ezeoke said the ANPP would remain in the opposition, would be credible in its role, but would support the government, run by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in its efforts to raise living standards.

He described critics of his party’s participation in the GNU as people who are not politicians.

"In politics, there should be jaw-jaw and not war-war, and that is what the ANPP is doing".

In Osun, the ANPP Governorship candidate, Ismail Oladimeji Oginni, lamented Muhammadu Buhari’s staunch opposition to the GNU.

Buhari was the ANPP Presidential candidate at the last elections.

Oginni called him "a liability" because he has refused to allow the party have its way on a matter affecting Nigerians, even as the decision of the party should be binding on all members.

He said Buhari is the cause of the problems of the ANPP and urged the party’s leadership to do away with him.

"Buhari has never been an asset to us. His non-cooperation poses a great problem for the party. He has never been a good party man", Oginni charged.

But he cautioned the ANPP to ensure that those it chooses to represent it are "loyal and strong party members" who would not turn their backs against the party after joining the government.

"As a loyal party man, I have no option than to support the decision of my party. Much as I believe in a very strong opposition to make for a virile democracy, the only alternative one has is either to opt out of the party or support it".

Oginni expressed readiness to work with the government of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Osun if it is the decision of the ANPP to extend the working relationship with the PDP to the state level.

"If Oyinlola feels he can work with me, there is no problem in working with him. If he feels there are areas I can contribute to his government for the progress of Osun State, why not?".