By Ben Agande
ABUJA — The Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulak, has dismissed the defection of some G-7 governors from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressive Congress, APC, saying their action does not pose any threat to the ruling party.

Speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa shortly after news of the defection was broken, Gulak said the presidency and the  PDP perceived the development as a non-issue, adding that the  distraction the activities of the governors posed to the party has finally been removed.

Jonathan addressing journalists after his arrival from London, UK

According to him, the action of the governors was only a confirmation of his long held beliefthat their hearts have long left the PDP.

Said he:  “The presidency does not feel threatened, the PDP does not feel threatened. PDP is the party to beat. We have had it before, even people who occupied higher offices left the party and came back to the party. Outside, there is nothing, PDP is the only party. It is good that they have shown the world that they have taken a stand so that PDP will not be distracted.

“I know as of fact that five of them said they will now join APC, but I know two issued statements that they were not part of that, governor of Niger and governor of Jigawa. And I believe those others, for a long time I have said it before that their hearts have not been in PDP.”

He,  however, said the PDP was still open to reconciliation with the governors if they wish to pursue the path of reconciliation.

He said: “We are talking about peace, reconciliation is an ongoing thing. If they go outside there like those that went before them and tested that outside is empty, they are always welcome back home like we did before.

“So PDP as a party will be focused to build up our party, because a lot of people are waiting for this moment. A lot of people, even in the APC, ACN ANPP have contacted me that they want to come back to the PDP and were just waiting for what happened today. To us, it is a good development.”