PDP CHAIR RACE: OPPOSITION MOUNTS AGAINST PATIENCE JONATHANs CHOICE, AS JONATHAN SAYS NOBODY WILL DICTATE FOR ME THIS TIME, BEST FOUR MAY EMERGE ON MONDAY. In the whole searching scenario for Tukurs Successor, of note was the opposition swelling up against Senator Idris Umar, Minister of Transport and the supposed preference of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. Sources said that some political interests in his native Gombe State were not disposed to lending him their support. However, President Jonathan has confided in party leaders that: ‘I will not allow anyone dictate to me or the party this time around, I will make sure we look for a credible hand. This is why the search is challenging.” But all the aspirants, only four are said to stand any good chance of getting the slot. Three of them- Adamu Maina Waziri, Shettima Mustapha and Abba Aji have already appeared before the Strategy Team. The fourth aspirant, Gambo Lawan is yet to interact with the Team. The source said: “But there are issues with some of these aspirants before the team. While some are claiming that Shettima Mustapha is old, a few others have revisited the role of Abba Aji on the ill-health of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in not transmitting a letter to the National Assembly which led to the succession crisis. “As for Adamu Maina Waziri, they said he was the only PDP stalwart from Borno-Yobe axis whose houses in Potiskum and Kaduna were attacked and vandalized in 2011 during the post-election violence. “From the look of things, we may end up coming up with two nominees. At the end of the day, the President, the BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, the PDP governors and the Strategy Team will determine who should lead the party and table convincing arguments before the NEC. “But some leaders are uncomfortable with Waziri being close to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. Waziri’s loyalists however said by being close to Obasanjo, he may be a bridge-builder and be in a better position to reconcile various tendencies in the party.” Gambo Lawan is rated as a good party administrator but some forces recall the role he played as chairman of one of the five parties in the Abacha years Although Mohammed Wakil is being backed by some members of the Strategy Team, it was discovered on Friday that he is under 50 years. Wakil, whose name is said to be on the ministerial nominees list could make Jonathan’s new cabinet. Stakeholders from Adamawa State have fears that with the exit of Tukur, they might not have a say in the NWC again.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 07:49:36 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015