Newly appointed National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, on Monday in Abuja pledged that he would not interfere with state structures of the party currently controlled by governors. Speaking during his inauguration at the Wadata Plaza national headquarters of the PDP, Mu’azu, who replaces Dr. Bamanga Tukur, also lamented that all was not well with the ruling party. Pointing out that he had watched “the dwindling fortunes” of the PDP from 2003 to date, Mu’azu, however, warned that he would not tolerate questionable primaries. The issue of primaries and party structures in states were some of the major grouse PDP governors had with Tukur, who they perceived as weakening their control of the party machinery in their respective states. As a practical demonstration of his promise not to interfere in the running of state chapters of PDP as was witnessed during the Tukur era, Mu’azu disclosed that he had already entered into agreement with his state (Bauchi) Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda. Turning to the PDP governors present during his inauguration, Mu’azu said, “I won’t tamper with any of your structures, including that of Yuguda. I won’t tamper with any of your structures”. Mu’azu, who only last week was inaugurated in the council chambers of the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja, as Chairman of the Board of PENCOM, however, pleaded with the governors “to allow the (state) chairmen of the PDP to register everyone interested in joining the party in their states”. He thanked Yuguda for moving the motion for his nomination as national chairman, saying it was rare in the history of the PDP. “I thank Yuguda for accepting me as the chairman of the party”, Mu’azu, said. Stressing his committment to restoring the lost glory of the PDP, he pleaded for the support of members of the party. According to him, “I have helplessly watched the dwindling fortunes of our party from 2003 to date; from controlling a record of 28 states in 1999 down to 23. This situation is unacceptable and it must change”. The PDP currently controls 18 states following the defection of five of its governors to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Mu’azu, who noted that the party had for several months been on the front pages of newspapers for negative reasons, said he was optimistic that it would surmount all its problems. The ex-governor said, “The beginning of credible, free and fair elections starts with credible, free and fair primaries. The PDP as the leading party must therefore, lead the way for other parties to follow. We cannot and will not condone questionable primary elections. “In the last few months, the PDP has occupied front pages of our newspapers with negative headlines. Most political analysts predicted that the end of the gains had come. “Over the years, the PDP has developed an internal conflict resolution mechanism. So why false prophets were predicting its collapse, insiders knew that the crisis was a storm in a teacup. “Today, we have shown to the world an instant cure for what looked like a terminal disease. Indeed, we have demonstrated our political maturity and sagacity as the number one party in Africa. “There is no doubt that all has not been well with our party. However, the crisis that has rocked the party is a common phenomenon with large parties”. The oath of office was administered on Mu’azu by Mr. Augustine Taxy. Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Tukur, were, however, conspicuously missing at Mu’azu’s inauguration.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 16:41:24 +0000
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