Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) amongst the various opposition parties will end negative change in the country.

He described the MoU as a watershed moment towards the consolidation of democracy, politics of purpose and citizens centred development in Nigeria.

In a statement issued by his media office on Monday in Abuja, Abubakar commended the Uche Secondus national working committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for having the foresight to bring together Nigeria’s opposition parties under one big umbrella.

“I wholeheartedly endorse this exercise and look forward to a spirit of collaboration amongst ourselves as we continue the campaign for the deliverance of Nigeria from the forces of retrogression, recession, division and blame games,” he said.

“It might be a cliche, but it still remains true that unity is strength and that only team work can make the dream work. I refer to the dream of our Founding Fathers for an indivisible united country that is progressive and founded on unity and faith.

“Much work needs to be done. Sadly, in the last three years, Nigeria has become the world head quarters of extreme poverty.

“We must thus rub our heads and minds together to ensure that by 2019, extreme poverty is on its way to becoming history even as we usher in extreme peace, progress and prosperity in its place.”

Abubakar commended all those who made the event a reality.

“You have etched your names in the sands of time and Nigeria will be better off because of your actions,’’ he said.

On July 9, the PDP signed an MoU with 38 political parties to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

(NAN)