5 Northern PDP govs snub Tukur at NEC meeting Indications that the crisis rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be far from being over emerged yesterday as the disgruntled G-5 Northern governors on the party’s platform snubbed the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, at its 62nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, held in Abuja yesterday. Bamanga Tukur One of the G-5 governors, Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), snubbed Tukur at the occasion, while another member of the group, Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), who arrived in company with their counterpart from Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, also a member of G-5, also toed the line of Aliyu, both of them snubbing Tukur. However, deputy governor of Sokoto, Muktar Shagari, who represented Aliyu Wamakko, exchanged pleasantries with Tukur and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, before proceeding to his seat. Daily Newswatch investigation revealed that even though other members of the G-5, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano and Sokoto Governor sent their deputies, there were fears that the leadership of PDP may have developed cold feet as a result of reports of infiltration of All Progressive Congress moles into the party. The meeting, which barely lasted an hour, ratified the special national convention slated for August 31 and postponed the South West Zonal congress earlier scheduled for Ibadan, Oyo State, tomorrow, saying court injunction informed the decision. The meeting began by 2.40pm when President Goodluck Jonathan stepped into the NEC hall of the party secretariat, ended at 3.35pm, just as Senate President David Mark was absent at the meeting. Jonathan, in his address, assured that PDP would come out of its present challenges stronger and that those touting it for doom will be disappointed. According to him, “ I was not expecting to see so many people, especially our senior party members but when I came in and I looked across and saw these faces, I thank God that even though people believe that PDP will have issues, that we are divided, they will all be disappointed.” He eulogised party members, saying: “Let me sincerely appreciate our party members for what they are doing across the country. What the elders of the party are doing, the working committee, the Jerry Gana committee, our governors and the members of the National Assembly, for all they have been doing in flying the flag of the party.” Governors’ roll-call at yesterday’s meeting included Kebbi, Niger, Adamawa, Gombe, Sokoto (deputy), Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kogi, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kaduna, Bayelsa (deputy), Taraba and Kano (deputy).
Posted on: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 05:58:54 +0000
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