The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which appeared to have defied all reconciliation efforts, could lead to the seven aggrieved governors from the ruling party joining the All Progressives Congress, APC. Yesterday, the APC National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, confirmed that efforts to woo the governors were ongoing and would soon yield fruit. The aggrieved governors are: Aliyu Babangida (Niger), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi. Briefing journalists after the APC National Working Committee meeting, Mohammed said: “It is not a matter we discuss in the open, but what the party resolved is that some of our governors are also members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, and we also meet individually with the governors and we have left that assignment in the hands of our governors. “And if and when the aggrieved governors are desirous of making contact with APC, they will get across through our governors.” But National Mirror learnt that the meetings between some APC governors, led by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and some of the aggrieved PDP governors had been ongoing over a possible alliance ahead of the 2015 general election. A source, who did not want his name mentioned, told our correspondent that another meeting was expected to hold last night at the Lagos Lodge, Abuja. He added that the aggrieved governors would make a categorical statement on their moves next week if the reconciliation efforts being led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo failed to achieve any meaningful development by the weekend. “Most of the governors are of the opinion that if they are not wanted in the PDP they will have no other option but to move to another party that will give them the platform to achieve their political ambition,” the source said. He, however, stressed that the governor might encourage their supporters to cross over to the APC while delaying their eventual defection. Meanwhile, the APC spokesperson commended last Wednesday’s cabinet reshuffle by the Federal Government, saying: “Is it by simple coincidence that most of those who were relieved of their positions were those seemed to be perceived opponents of Mr. President or who have close contact with the new PDP or is the game about 2015? “But I don’t think Nigerians are really worried or impressed about whether ministers have been sacked or not. What I think bothers Nigerians today is the lack of vision or lack of capacity of this government. “There are three things you must always ask about any government: What has happened to poverty under that government? What has happened to unemployment under that government? What has happened to socioeconomic inequality? “Once the answers to those three questions are zero, in other words, you still have poverty around, you still have unemployment around, you still have socio-economic inequality around, then that government has not performed. “So, what Nigerians are interested in is a government that will put food on their table, find jobs for their children and secure their lives from robbers .” In another development, former Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said that so far, only three out of the eight issues in dispute between the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP and his faction have been resolved. He, however, noted that another reconciliatory meeting had been fixed for Sunday. Saraki, who spoke to newsmen yesterday, dismissed insinuations that the political battle between members of the New PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan was personal, saying “it is an effort to save Nigeria”. “It is wrong for people to say or think that what we are doing is a personal grouse and it is because the President is weak unlike former President Olusegun Obasanjo. No, even if it were Obasanjo today, things would be different because the environment is different.” Also, Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has declared that he authorised the use of the State Government Lodge in Abuja as the secretariat of the New PDP. The governor, who spoke in Yola, the state capital, yesterday through his Press Secretary, Ahmad Sajoh, said the action was to guarantee the “right of the new PDP to exist”. He said Nyako was aware of the use of the lodge for activities of the new PDP. Sajoh explained that as there was no consensus over the legal interpretation of status quo ante, Governor Nyako okayed the use of the Adamawa Lodge because the ruling took cognisance of developments in the polity. He maintained that the governor believed the court which ruled on the matter, wanted the parties involved in the suit to observe the law and not engage in anything which could result in the breakdown of law and order before it finally adjudicates on the issue. “As you are aware, there is a news report that the Adamawa State Government Lodge in Abuja was used for activities of the new PDP. “I want to confirm that development and let you know that the governor said he okayed the use of the lodge. He is aware of the use of the lodge. “Two, it is also true that Governor Nyako and the other aggrieved governors have been holding talks with the Presidency to try to find solution to the crisis rocking the party, but it appears the discussions have been deadlocked because of an utter lack of goodwill from the Presidency. “The negotiations have not been backed by sufficient goodwill in the light of recent developments, if not, how do you describe a situation where you are in talks with somebody and that person instead of refraining from hostilities is busy using law enforcement agencies to seal off your offices and issuing out threats through their surrogates of expelling you from the party, as it happened here in Adamawa”, Sajoh said. In another development, controversy is stirring in the Adamawa State House of Assembly as 12 members of the Assembly who shifted allegiance to the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP, have stalled a purported plan by the House to act on an executive letter seeking the state legislature approval of the suspension of Chairman of Guyuk Local Government Area of the state. The development comes as the embattled council boss, Mr. Ethan Bugie, along with six other councillors facing suspension approached the Chief Joel Madaki-led party leadership of the party loyal to Tukur for political refuge. The action by the council boss and his loyalists follows Tuesday’s declaration by the Tukur-controlled party executive in the state that 12 out of the 25 PDP members in the state legislature belonged to its camp. It is not very clear, what stalled the 25-member Assembly from taking a vote after its resumption of sitting on Monday from recess. Bugie along with other six councillors yesterday took refuge with the Madaki- led State party executive loyal to Bamanga Tukur. Bugie, who spoke after the meeting of his group with Madaki, said: “We realised that we were orphans and nobody cared for us, so we decided to return to the true PDP, because this is where the truth is. We have repented like the prodigal son in the Bible who wasted resources in a misguided journey and later came back home,” he stated. In his response, Madaki said the governor was never empowered to suspend an elected official through illegal means, warning that the party will fight to protect their rights. Declaring his plan to frustrate Nyako’s move to win the support of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Madaki further faulted the procedure adopted in the suspension of Bugie, arguing that before anybody was suspended he ought to be queried and given the opportunity to defend himself. “The House of Assembly is meant to check the excesses of the Executive. We will write the House and remind them about their legal responsibilities. PDP must fight and those who embezzle public money must cough it out,” Madaki said. The Press Secretary to the Speaker of the State Assembly, Solomon Kumanga, confirmed to National Mirror the receipt of a letter from the governor, asking the lawmakers to confirm the suspension of the chairman of Guyuk. The letter was read on the floor of the House and referred to the House Committee on Local Government.
Posted on: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 07:10:49 +0000
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