GOV SUSWAM MAY DUMP SENATE AMBITION: Nigerian Peoples Post learnt yesterday that, the governor of Benue State, Dr Gabriel Torwua Suswam, CON, may have agreed to set aside his senatorial ambition which is threatening the re-election quest of a former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Barnabas Gemade. Both Suswam and Gemade at the moment, are having serious running battle over who represents the Benue North East Senatorial Zone in 2015. In 2011 General Election, Dr Suswam bowed to the presidency to allow Gemade replaced Dr Joseph Akaagerger for same senatorial constituency . Suswam was believed to be rooting for his ally and friend, (Dr) Mathias Byuan. Before agreeing to make Gemade senator, it was believed that Suswam had secured an agreement from Gemade that he would go for just a term and allowed him to go represent the zone in 2015. Now that the chips are down, Senator Gemade has refused to obey that arrangement and rather, is doing everything possible to have another term. The tension coming out of this issue made President Goodluck Jonathan to call a meeting to settle it on Thursday last week, a source confided in Nigerian Peoples Post. The meeting which had in attendance President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President, David Mark, Suswam and Gemade was held into the wee hours of Thursday. The marathon meeting was held, first at Aso Villa, then Mark’s residence inside Apo Legislative Quarters. President Goodluck is said to have left the meeting at some point for mark to preside. To make allowance for Gemade, Suswam is reported to have made two main demands; a ministerial appointment of FCT or Power in order of preference and a promise to shield him from EFCC/ICPC harassment when his tenure expires. Suswam was advised to work towards the success of the PDP at all levels in the 2015 elections in return for the grant of his requests. A close aide of Suswam told Nigerian Peoples Post that the governor’s countenance changed after the meeting, suggesting that there may be a possible twist in the political events that may unfold in the state in the coming weeks. Many believe that Gemade and Mark have prevailed on Goodluck to take this move. It is rumoured that the cold war that has existed between Mark and Suswam over the years, which is a battle of supremacy, with this new development, will rear its head in the days ahead, as the governor may encourage either his deputy, Chief Steven Lawani, former junior Niger Delta Minister, Sam Ode or a serving commissioner in his administration to challenge Mark at the zone C senatorial primaries that Mark has led since 1999. Suswam’s fight with Mark may also have 2019 jostle as the key factor, it has been revealed. It is expected that Jonathan rounds off his tenure in 2019, and would likely favour a northern Christian to succeed him. Suswam and Mark have been in the thick of this plan. Mark is said to be very wealthy, building loyalty across the nation. Suswam has also desperately cornered resources in the build up to the battle ahead. This is part of the reasons he has fought hard to get the PDP ticket so that he remains in the national thick of things and bulid/sustain valuable alliances necessary for such contest. Nigerian Peoples Post learnt that Suswam is insisting on FCT or power ministries as minister as prerequisite to shield his ambition for Gemade because , he is believed to have substantial interests/Investments in the ever vibrant FCT property market and in the power sector where he holds controlling holding in the Jos Distribution company through his Shushi investment company. Meanwhile, what appears to be a fallout of that meeting came to light when Suswam shunned a pro- Jonathan Rally in Minna, Niger State last Saturday. The rally was organised by Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), A Non-Governmental Organisation, to gather support for Jonathan’s 2015 presidential ambition. For the North Central Zone, the event held in Mina. Senator Gemade represented the senate president and made a powerful speech, seemed as a confirmation of his victory over Suswam. A source at the PDP Wadata house, PDP secretariat in Abuja has informed Nigerian Peoples Post that the party will reveal its guidelines on Thursday; it is not clear at this moment when Suswam will officially inform his supporters of this new development. Via: Peoples post
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 07:20:39 +0000
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