A
major crisis on Saturday hit the ruling Peoples Democratic Party as
seven governors and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar formed a
faction of the party at the national level.
The governors, who are members of the
new faction, include Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Babangida Aliyu (Niger);
Rabiu Kwankwanso (Kano); Muritala Nyako (Adamawa); Abdulfatah Ahmed
(Kwara); Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)
Also in the faction are an acting
National Chairman, Kawu Baraje; a suspended National Secretary, Prince
Olagunsoye Oyinlola and a former National Deputy National Chairman, Dr.
Sam Jaja.
The press conference at the Sheu
Yar’Adua Centre Abuja, where the faction announced its emergence, was
attended by many members of the national and state houses assembly.
 |
| Seven governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who quit to form new faction |
The National Chairman of the faction,
Baraje, said the leaders of the party came together to rescue it from
undemocratic tendencies of “the former national chairman,” Bamanga
Tukur.
He said, “We address you today as
leaders of the PDP, who are worried by the increasing repression,
restrictions of freedom of association, arbitrary suspension of members
and other such violations of democratic principles by a faction of our
party led by Tukur.”
He said they had done everything
humanly possible to bring to the attention of critical stakeholders
within the party to the dangers inherent in the course being charted by
that leadership (Tukur),
The factional chairman said, “It has
become very clear that the desperate permutations towards 2015 general
elections have blinded certain people from the consequences of their
actions.
“Not only has the constitution of the
party been serially violated by Alhaji Tukur and fellow travelers, all
the organs of the party have been rendered virtually ineffectual by a
few people who act as though above the law.”
Baraje noted that the Presidency had been encouraging the Tukur- led faction.
“Unfortunately, it is obvious that that
they get encouragement from the presidency whose old calculations are
geared towards shutting out any real or imagined opposition ahead of the
party’s presidential primaries for the 2015 elections.”
He said as leaders of the party, they
considered it a sacred responsibility to save the PDP from the antics of
a few desperadoes who had no democratic temperament and were bent on
hijacking the party for selfish ends.
Baraje listed the violations of the
Tukur-led faction as the changing of the date of the party’s convention
without the approval of the National Executive Committee.
He said the PDP NEC at its last meeting approved July20, 2013 for the conduct of a special national convention.
The factional chairman said that date
was changed to August 31 without reverting to NEC (the only authority
vested with such powers) by a few people, apparently acting on the
authority of the presidency.
He added, “Notwithstanding the fact that
INEC had noted that the PDP congresses in nine states were not
presently conducted, the illegal delegates from such states are being
paraded at the so-called convention being held today (Saturday) in a
cynical attempt to circumvent the law an further bring the name of the
party to disrepute.
“In gross violation of the PDP
constitution, which stipulates that the NEC meeting must hold at least
once in a quarter, Tukur and a few people have been running the party
like a personal fiefdom without recourse to that important
decision-making organ of the party.
“The NEC of the party accepted the
resignation of the former members of the NWC whose offices were affected
by INEC observations based principally on the agreement that the
affected officers would be returned to their respective offices at the
convention.”
He said in spite of the NEC decision, the positions of the former officers had been given to “some Yes-men within the party.”
Baraje said in spite of INEC’s
insistence that Senator Any Uba was the duly elected candidate of the
party in Anambra State; the Bamanga Tukur-led executives announced the
suspension of Uba and some other members close to him in defiance of
subsisting court orders.
He also faulted the dismissal of a
former National Chairman, Mr. Sam Jaja, by the Rivers State chapter of
the party with the alleged connivance of the Tukur leadership.
He also cited the suspension of Amaechi and Wamakko.
He said, “Even when the illegal
suspension of Sokoto State governor has been lifted, the Rivers governor
remains purportedly suspended for no just cause.”
Baraje also said the dissolution of
the Adamawa State chapter of the party was a clear abuse of power by
Tukur, thus causing confusion in his home state.
The factional chairman said, “Given the
foregoing, it is very clear that the Tukur leadership cannot guarantee
for our millions of party members democracy anchored on free choice and
the rule of law.
“We have therefore taken it upon ourselves to rescue the party from their dictatorial leadership.”
“It is indeed noteworthy that from 1999
to date, Nigerians have constantly voted the presidential candidates
presented by our great party but not only does such trust come with
enormous responsibility, we recognise that we cannot continue to take
the people for granted.
“From now, the new leadership of the
party under us will strive to build a fairer as well as a more
transparent and accountable PDP that will put the interest of members
and indeed all the people of Nigeria above that of one single
individual.
“For all the members of our great party
who may have become disillusioned by the anti-democratic tendencies of
the Tukur leadership, there is a new lease of life in the horizon.
“It s a new day for the Peoples
Democratic Party. As we take over the leadership of the PDP, our
immediate priority is to revive the culture of robust debate of all
contending issues while providing a level-playing field for all our
members.”
In a swift reaction, Tukur promised that the party would deal with the governors at the appropriate time.
Tukur told journalists at the Eagle Square, that the governors were planning to defect to another party.
He said, “The PDP does not recognise any
parallel party. Those who staged the walkout are all self-seeking and
treacherous individuals pursuing neither regional nor religious agenda
except their own agenda, except their own personal interest.
“Their attempt to create parallel party is illegal, unlawful as there are no crises within the PDP whatsoever.
“They were all active participants in the setting up of this convention.
“And many of them were with the
President and rode with him to the convention venue and joined them in
the salutation of all the delegates including their state delegates.”
“The PDP is studying the situation as it unfolds and will deal decisively as the situation warrants.
“It is obvious that they are creating
crisis where there is none to give the impression that the party is
divided. This in their thinking will allow them persuade loyal members
of the National Assembly to cross carpet with them. We will resist
this.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic
Movement has saluted what it described as the bravery and statesmanship
of the dissenting delegates of the PDP.
The National Chairman of PDM, Mr. Bashir
Ibrahim, who spoke through his Media Advisor, Alaba Yusuf, said, “We
appreciate their bold, brave and patriotic stand of these delegates for
refusing to participate in an election which they knew gave no even
playing ground to all stakeholders.’’
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Whaoooo, the drama is just begining. PDP is in serious mess, where is Obasanjo, Amodu Ali, Atiku, Audu Ogbe, solomon Lar, Gimade etc in the convention? Many numerous others are silent. Why the crisis in River the home state of first lady? Why the crisis in Adamawa the home state of Tukur? Nigerians should be on the watch of these hudlums called politician in pdp. How can a snsitive party allow the show of shame going on in Taraba and Anambara? I can go on and on and on.
ReplyDeleteDavid Nna Amadi.... I marvelled wen people comment dat d division in PDP is not 4 d interest of common Nigerian. Dnt they knw that competition enhance efficiency & good governance? Our President shd stop witch hunting NGF chairman & Gov of Rivers 2 earn their volition & support 4 2015 other wise such ambition wil be a Mirage.
ReplyDeleteAll the years Atiku spent in office what was his achievement ??? Nothing but looting.. Most of the governors are all second time governors who believe that they have nothing to loose...
ReplyDeleteNIGERIANS OPEN YOUR EYES,,THESE ARE GREEDY MEN,,FIGHTING FOR THEIR INTEREST NOT FOR NIGERIANS. Rotimi Ameachi,, welcome to dirty politics,,,you will have your shear.
Democracy at its peak and the bastardisation of Nigeria gradually coming up
ReplyDeleteWhere will Rivers state be in the new map of Nigeria since they are the only Southern State in this Atiku's ambition to rule a Nigeria. Obj as usual will oppose Atiku anyday so this is the beginning of the fight to finish of the PDP
Loosers all of you! When you finish destroying your party, we will see how and upon what platform you will clinch power. A moron pulls a gun and shoots himself on the foot and turns round to proclaim himself victorious.
ReplyDeleteRotomi Amechi is the greatest fool of this century! He does not know how much of his father's house he is destroying by siding with total strangers!
Does this ring a bell? In view of that famous American prediction for 2015...??? And where is Obulafor who once boasted that PDP will rule for 60 uninterrupted years!!! Nigeria we hail thee
ReplyDeleteJONA! Pls leave Aso villa in 2015. Pls be the MADELA of NIGERIA.
ReplyDeleteLike APC they will fail. Which court will recognise a breakaway faction? People should learn to support the president of the country. No matter whom he is. Which of them will make a better president? When Atiku was there what did he achieve? Selfish idiots!
ReplyDeleteDemocracy is all about interest and moreso there is freedom of association,stop abusing anybody as a Nigerian if they feel their interest is not in Jonathan administration again so be it.2015 is fast approaching.Time shall tell.
ReplyDeleteBye bye papa deceive pikin. Pretend Developing People. POWER to DESTROY the PEOPLE. Thank God we can see the end of the party made up of people destroying the good people of Nigeria. After all there is a ray of light at the dark tunnel. Nigerians should have courage to bear the remaining period of our sufferings. After darkness comes bright light. People should remember that nothing last forever.
ReplyDeleteThank God! Those who were behind PDP's underperformance and the clog in the wheel of progress have now identified themselves and on their way out. A new PDP is emerging!. GEJ efforts would soon be seen and appreciated by all patroitic citizens of Nigeria. For Amaechi, no word for him for he is a traitor and the price of a traitor awaits him. The new faction are made up of one ethnic group except Amaechi and that speaks volumes!. The veils have been lifted and those who were still blind can now see.
ReplyDeletemy brother see oooo may god bless you.those guys don't want to respect our president why?
ReplyDeleteWhich President. Mumu GEJ? I'm sorry for you. Calling that swine president, any way he is just like your foolish father who did not train you well. It is truly your preside. Useless people always sentimental because he is from your place. The next president is coming from Igbo land.
ReplyDeleteAmaechi na ashawo. How can he conive with northerners against his own brother. Can't he see that northerners are only itching for the power? Shame on u amaechi.
ReplyDeleteDavid Nna Amadi.... Mr president(Goodluck) fail! Fail!Fail!!, u abandon d hands dat fed u(OBJ) & surround urself wit inexperience & Greedy politicians of no significants like Gulak, Okupe,Akpabio,Orubebe etc ,dis serves u right
ReplyDeleteIf there is anything worth saying at all, the handwriting is already spelt out clearly, come 2015, PDP will be christian party, while APC will be Moslem party. OH Nigerian why, religions all the time, and none of you walk in the tenacy of God Almighty. its a pitty we lack leadership in this country. As for Amaechi you are justlike a stooge used by the old carbal. If power is to come to the north must it be a muslim? are there no christian in the North? those half way PDP and half way APC can they support christian candidate from the North for presidency? no so what are yuo talking about.
ReplyDeleteIts you and your like that religionise politics. APC comprises of all religions adherents and even pagans from across the country in their midst, and they never conducted primaries so far. So what are you talking about. This is a clear case of mischief and islamophobia.
DeleteIf there is anything worth saying at all, the handwriting is already spelt out clearly, come 2015, PDP will be christian party, while APC will be Moslem party. OH Nigerian why, religions all the time, and none of you walk in the tenacy of God Almighty. its a pitty we lack leadership in this country. As for Amaechi you are justlike a stooge used by the old carbal. If power is to come to the north must it be a muslim? are there no christian in the North? those half way PDP and half way APC can they support christian candidate from the North for presidency? no so what are yuo talking about.
ReplyDeletePDP, I DEY LAFF O
ReplyDelete@ Emex, not only Atiku's fruitless years in office but PDP at large.
ReplyDeleteThey have spent many years in government and nothing seems good.
Nigerians must try and flush these bad eggs out of system.
You don't dare Amechi unless you end up like GEJ. 2015 by fire by force.
PDP, I dey luku I no talk....
ReplyDeleteIt is nunc dimitis to PDP. Only miracle can save it. All the dogs are now braying at it! Not that they have anything better to offer. We are heading for crisis the magnitude of which has never been witnessed in this country. God save our country.
ReplyDelete