The crisis that is rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party may take a turn for the worse soon.
Multiple sources in the party told Sunday PUNCH on
Saturday that President Goodluck Jonathan would soon launch a counter
attack to battle the forces that were whittling his influence in the
ruling party.
SUNDAY PUNCH’s investigations on
Friday showed that while President Jonathan had shown little interest in
taking the fight to those against him in the party, hawks within his
circle were goading him to stem his loss of ground to governors elected
on the platform of the party and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Our correspondents learnt that some of
the President’s allies want him to drop ministers known to be close or
loyal to Obasanjo and the governors. Feelers from the camp show that the
hawks may prevail.
In recent times, the President has lost out in the power play in the party, which analysts have linked to the 2015 elections.
Last week, an attempt by the President’s
camp to install one of his associates, Chief Tony Anenih, as the
Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees failed. Rather, Obasanjo, who
stepped down from the position last year, almost installed his preferred
candidate, Dr. Ahmadu Ali.
State governors on the platform of the
PDP have also moved against the party leadership over its handling of
the crisis in the Adamawa State chapter of the party. The governors want
party chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, sacked for dissolving the Adamawa
State party executive believed to be loyal to the governor. The
governors reportedly turned down a plea by the President for Tukur to
retain his job. Tukur, who hails from Adamawa State, is a strong
supporter of Jonathan.
The PDP National Working Committee, led
by the Deputy Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja, had on Wednesday dissociated
itself from Tukur’s action in Adamawa. The NWC later rescinded the
decision to dissolve Adamawa executive of the party.
On Thursday, the governors said the
National Executive meeting of the paty should be convened immediately.
They also endorsed the decision of the NWC to rescind the decision on
the dissolution of the PDP executive in Adamawa State.
Although Jonathan has not formally
declared his interest to seek re-election, his loyalists have linked his
recent actions to the politics of the 2015 election.
One of the President’s aides, who pleaded
anonymity, said the thinking in government circles was that it would be
difficult for Jonathan to get the party’s ticket for the 2015
presidential election if his loss of influence was not quickly stemmed.
But Jonathan, who spoke to our
correspondent through his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ahmed
Gulak, insisted that he was still in charge despite the recent
developments.
“The President is fully in charge. It is
not true that he is losing grip of the party. The differences among
members of the party are normal in a very big party like the PDP. But
the President is addressing them and he is on top of the situation,”
Gulak explained.
Since the disagreements became a public knowledge, Jonathan had held a series of meetings with stakeholders in the party.
On Tuesday, he held what party stalwarts
described as a “strategic meeting” with members of the BoT. A day later,
he met with the members of the National Working Committee.
The meeting where the governors reportedly turned down his plea for Tukur was held on Thursday.
Sunday PUNCH also gathered
that Jonathan had cemented his ties with a former Ogun State Governor,
Gbenga Daniel. Daniel fell out with Obasanjo during the 2011 elections
when the former’s supporters defected to the PDP.
Loyalists of the President also told one
of our correspondents that in the days ahead, the administration might
use board appointments to break the ranks of PDP chieftains loyal to
Obasanjo.
A source in the presidency said, “This is
a political era. Although the President may not be confrontational, he
is going to use what he has to fight his opponents, including Obasanjo.
“He has resisted the pressure to drop
ministers because of their closeness to Obasanjo and some governors that
are fighting him, but that may change.
“In the next few months, more board
appointments will be made and those who have been confrontational with
the President should not expect anything. In politics, you use what you
have to get what you want. You cannot be wining and dining with
someone’s enemies and want to remain his friend.”
Meanwhile, close associates of Tukur
jubilated on Friday when the party’s National Secretary, Prince
Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was sacked by a Federal High court. Oyinlola is one
of the staunch allies of Obasanjo.
At the party’s presidential campaign
office located at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, Tukur’s associates
expressed happiness over the matter.
As soon as the judgment was delivered,
one of them immediately sent messages to reporters, asking them to come
to Legacy House where he said the proceedings of the court would be
served on the party.
“You can see that God is on our side,” an aide to Turkur said, as he gave a copy of the judgment to Sunday PUNCH correspondent.
PUNCH
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OBJ took fist,second,and. Was struggling for third. What makes him think he can stop a young man from taking His constitutional right?
ReplyDeleteI pray that GOD will use the weak to shame those who feel they are strong.GEJ still have my respect despite all their cheap blackmail to His governmnt.
Be reasonable. The man has achieved nothing and is wasting our Time and votes. I would ave voted for Buari but for his wickedness and extremities when issues of religion and Hausa Fulani hegemony s concerned. But with the break down of security, I don't think he can count on Southwest votes again. Ditto south east. That leaves him with minorities and even then Kwara and Kogi will reject him. Jonathan go home after this term
ReplyDeleteThe only thing Jonathan knows is politics. Development, zero.
ReplyDeleteA man with Good name but bad Intention for Poor Nigerian .
ReplyDeleteu can neva compare JONATHANS admin wit OBASANJO.JONA s still a saint compare t OBJ.If u doubt,it wil not tak much tim nd truth wil prevail/
ReplyDeleteAnybdy comparing GEJ wit OBJ is making a hell of mistakes cos GEJ is barely a yr and in office while OBJ has been there for twelve yrs both mili nd civi regime, wht did u gain. I dn't blame u guys cos if u were to be dia, worst wil hapun. Administration is hard.
ReplyDeleteA people get the leader they deserve! Pls pray for our country Nigeria and its leaders. Even d bible asks us to honour our father and mother, ditto those in authourity over us. Please stop this abuses and name calling of the president. Those of us who read human resources courses know the complexity of human beings. People arenot always sincere as they are guided by selfish reasons. Stop echoing everything u hear politicians say. The bible asks us to check every spirit. Politicians like to play 'god' but the God who saved us from Abacha will save us from these sychophants who think they own Nigeria. No one pray for their children to fail but rather wish them well. Let us stop expecting prsident jonathan to fail. Long live nigeria! Long live the president!
ReplyDeleteInfact IBB is the wisest of all the former Heads of Nigerian Government. No wonder he is called Maradona. Obj should borrow a leaf from him in that you don't play power tussle with a sitting President. If GEJ should invoke all the immense powers conferred on him and begins to apply them, OBJ and his allies will run away from Nigeria.
ReplyDelete