Politics
How Bamanga Tukur Emerged PDP Chairman
Amidst intrigues, suspense, backstabbing and eventual denouement, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last Saturday’s National Convention proved its stance as a colossus, with master strokes that doused what otherwise appeared a time bomb waiting to explode.
Although reports from the wards, LGA and state congresses of the party indicated that there was relative peace in the choice of party leaders at those levels, a deadly contest and angling for supremacy were the hallmark of the choice of the national leadership of the party.
Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Abubakar Baraje acknowledged the challenges of maintaining internal cohesion ahead of the contentious National Convention, while inaugurating the National Convention Planning Committee.
The acting chairman stated; “PDP has found its foots rigidly in the annalls of this country, all eyes are on the PDP to see if it could hold a free and fair congress, I have no doubt that members of the committee have the ability and credentials to deliver a free and fair congress”.
It is no doubt that the PDP had held sway conspicuously in Nigerians Political scene for the past one decade. Expectedly, Nigerian waited agitatedly as the party arranged a change of guard in its leadership at all levels.
It was glaringly evident that the ruling party was equally confronted with the challenges of convincing Nigerians that they were not only in firm grip of the Political Structures of the country, but that their internal mechanism was intact.
Interestingly, the 2012, National Convention became a period of self assessment of its internal cohesion and expression of its inherent political will, to re-affirm its dominance in Nigeria’s politics.
The option for Concensus became a political variable to stabilise its structures and save the party from the unwinking scrutiny of Nigerians. Apart from the wards, local government and state congresses, which were predicated on existing internal agreements among the party stakeholders, the Concensus option had its roots essentially at the choice of National leadership of the party. The option was also believed to have emanated from the presidency to forestall division and dissenting views in the choice of National leadership of the party. However, about 11 candidates threw their hats into the ring for the Coveted National Chairmanship Position of the party.
The contenders included: Prof Rufai Alkali, Idris Waziri, Alhaji Shettima Mustapha, Musa Babayo, Adamu Bello, Gambo Lawan, Adamu Muazu, Sen Abba Aji, Bunu Sherif, Ibrahim Birma, and Bamanga Tukur, all from the North East Geo-Political zone of the party where the chairmanship was zoned.
Among all the contenders, Bamanga Tukur, who emerged as the National Chairman of the party at the end of the National Convention, was the most favoured in the Concensus deal.
In the build-up to the National Convention of the party, the decision on concensus was however, seen by many Party Stalwarts as a skewed decision, not in the overral interest of the party, but to serve some vested partisan interests ahead of 2015.
This put paid to the humiliating defeat suffered by the new National chairman, Bamanga Tukur, in his North East zone were the party chairmanship was zoned. But the presidency was said to have insisted on clearing the bumps on the political highway to the emergence of the preffered candidates for the party’s National executive.
Sources attributed the humiliating defeat of Tukur in his political zone to the antics of the North East Governors, who felt his emergence as a National Chairman of the Party was not in the best interest of the zone. The North East Governors, apparently said in Tukur a compromising stance against the interest of the zone ahead of the 2015 general election.
But the presidency was said to have re-acted swiftly to their decision as “sheer ingratitude” and lack of compliance of their own side of the bargain, inspite of conceding the National Chairmanship of the party to the zone.
Apparently jilted by the revolt of the North East Governors, in the choice of Tukur, the presidency was said to have adopted a deft move to nib in the bud further embarrassment in the eventual outcome of the National Convention.
Finally, the North East Governors and other dissenting voices in the choice of leadership of the party bowed to submission as the National executive emerged on concensus.
It was obvious that the North East Governors succumbed to the deft move of the party through intense lobbying and persuation to avoid further balcanisation and the prospect of incurring the wrath of the presidency.
Prior to the voting by delegates from across the 36 states of the federation, the Governors of the North East states, took turn to register their solidarity and support for the preffered presidential choices for the various National executive positions.
The contenders for the National chairmanship, and secretary positions also bowed out in support of Bamanga Tukur, and Olagunsoye Oyinola respectively.
The past vice chairman South East of the party, Chief Olisa Metu emerged the sole candidate for the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, while former Aviation Minister, Kema Chikwe emerged as the National women leader of the party.
Against the backdrop of being arm twisted to step down for favoured candidates, most of the top contenders for the prime administrative. Positions said they gave up their ambition in the interest of the party.
Ebenezer Babatope, a contender for the Post of Secretary, in a reluctant step down declaration said, “I am not withdrawing for any body, but for the party, I have been prevailed upon by friends to step, but I was determined to go ahead even if I was going to get one vote”.
The intense power play and political permutations that characterized the PDP National Convention, was also evidently masterminded by the Governors forum, which took it upon itself to ensure that the decision of the party went through smoothly.
PDP Governors were visibly spotted around the convention arena trying to convince contestants for the various positions to drop their stance. Sources, revealed that the moves of the Governors were the fallout of a midnight meeting held with the presidency and leadership of the party to perfect the strategies of concensus.
The eventual emergence of Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of PDP, apart from its purported close link with, the presidency, is also seen by many party supporters as an opportunity to redefine the leadership posture of the party.
Tukur is seen by many PDP members as a man with the requisite knowledge and experience to deliver the party to its expected political Eldorado.
“For the PDP to forge ahead in its control of political powers in Nigeria, and bring internal democracy in the party, it needs people like Tukur”, said a top party official.
Tukur, a former governor, of defunct Gongola state, had in his acceptance speech, after being sworn-in by Joe Gadzama (SAN), vowed to put in place dedicated and transparent leadership that will rekindle the faith of all party members and Nigerians in the party.
He said; “I will build a bridge across faith, generations, and tendencies, and lay the foundation for a new Nigeria. I will be guided by the constitution and manifestoes of the party, I will also adhere to the principle of separation of powers, check and balances and the rule of law”.
The New National Chairman of the party, also called on those who contested for various positions to throw their weight behind him to enable the party grow from strength to strength.
However, inspite of the successful emergence of party leaders from the wards to the National executive, a major lesson from the just-concluded PDP Convention is the ability of its big umbrella to accommodate all interests, no matter whose ox is gored.
The convention reconciled hitherto political foes within the party and also created new internal animosities among the political players. Political jobbers also took advantage of the political scenario, to coast home on personal gratifications and vested interests.
But in the final analysis , President Goodluck Jonathan redefined the new vision and road map of the party when, at the end of the convention, he declared the convention will churn out a stronger and more disciplined PDP, were party interest will supercede personal interest.
Taneh Beemene
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, passed a vote of confidence in Mojisola Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawmakers expressed their confidence in her leadership at the plenary, which Rt Hon. Meranda presided over amidst tight security.
The Tide’s source reports that there was a growing tension at the assembly as legislative workers protested against the alleged plans to remove Rt Hon. Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The legislative workers also clashed with the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) who, in the early hours of Monday, stormed the assembly and sealed Rt Hon. Meranda’s office alongside that of her Deputy and the Clerk.
Our source had reported how armed security personnel took over the complex at Alausa, Ikeja, leading to palpable tension among the lawmakers and workers of the assembly.
There are indications that the ongoing imbroglio at the assembly following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker on January 13 has not abated.
The Monday’s drama came a few days after Mr Obasa, who was removed for alleged abuse of office and corruption, dragged the state lawmakers to court, challenging his removal as the Speaker of the Assembly.
There are alleged plans to return Mr Obasa as the Speaker, a development which has further heightened tension at the assembly.
The Tide’s source reports that when Meranda arrived the assembly complex amidst tight security around 11:15 am on Monday, many legislative workers showed solidarity with the first female Speaker over alleged plans to remove her.
“Meranda we want”, “Meranda We want”, the workers were chanting in a short video clip.
Rt Hon. Meranda visibly overwhelmed by emotion was surrounded by her security details amid the chaotic atmosphere.
Inside the chamber, officials of the DSS clashed with the legislative workers, leading to commotion.
The DSS officials, dressed in black jackets and helmets and armed with weapons, struggled with the workers at the door.
The Tide’s source gathered that, with support from the legislative workers, lawmakers had earlier forced their way into the chamber around 12:30 pm.
It was further gathered that Rt Hon Meranda and about 32 members were present at the plenary.
A short video clip of the plenary showed that all the lawmakers in attendance had passed a vote of confidence on Rt Hon Meranda.
“Madam Speaker, all members standing before you, I move a motion to say that we do pass the vote of confidence on Rt Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda”, a lawmaker said.
The motion was supported by all members in attendance.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, on Monday, traded words over the alleged killing of three persons.
Members of both parties were locked in battle for the control of some local government secretariats. While two persons were killed in Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area, another was killed in Irewole Local Government Area.
There had been tension across the state over the Court of Appeal judgment in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.
While the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return.
Speaking with journalists in Iragbiji, Korede Ajeigbe, the commissioner for government affairs and protocol, claimed that two PDP members were killed while trying to prevent APC members from taking over a secretariat.
Mr Ajeigbe also said that six PDP members were seriously injured and were currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
APC, however, alleged that PDP members attacked its members while trying to enforce the Court of Appeal judgment.
Addressing a news conference in Osogbo, Bayo Adeleke, a chieftain of the APC, claimed that one of the party’s prominent members was killed during the crisis.
He also alleged that another member of the party, Remi Omowaye, escaped an assassination attempt in Ilesa.
Mr Adeleke, a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, urged the state government to allow peace to reign by allowing the APC chairmen and councillors to return to office.
Another chieftain of the party, Jamiu Olawumi, claimed that APC chairmen had resumed in 15 local governments of the state.
This claim, however, could not be immediately verified.
When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, CSP Yemisi Opalola, said she was yet to be briefed on the alleged killings.
Ms Opalola, however, said police officers had been deployed to all the local government secretariats in the state to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ademola Adeleke has directed workers as well as politicians to stay away from local government secretariats to avoid further bloodshed.
Mr Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said only security agents would be allowed to keep watch at the secretariats.
He condoled with families of victims of the crisis.
Leader of the 8th Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Assembly, Barrister Samuel Nengia, has passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Enyiada Cookey-Gam, as he marked his first one hundred days in his second term in office.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port-Harcourt on Dr Cookey-Gam and the celebration of his first one hundred days in office, among other people-oriented development projects and programmes, Nengia argued that the Chairman and his team have recorded unprecedented developmental strides, which includes infrastructure transformation, empowerment, security, human capital development, payment of the approved N85,000. 00 minimum wage to Opobo/Nkoro workers’, among others.
He pointed out that his commendation was apt as the activities of the Chairman had been monitored and discovered to reflect the expectations and yearnings of the people, especially, the promotion of council staff, the refurbishment of the Assembly Complex to standard, the construction of Corpers’ Lodge, the provision of effective transportation system for the well-being of the people in the area.
Hon. Nengia, representing Opobo/Nkoro Ward 6, averred that the people of the LGA could now sleep with their eyes closed owing to Dr Cookey-Gam’s achievements in in the security sector.
He added that the vote of confidence the Council’s number one citizen would strengthen him to deliver more democratic dividends to Opobo/Nkoro people.
He admonished Opobo/Nkoro people to rally support for the Chairman to perform creditably well for the well-being of the electorate in the area.
Meanwhile, Barr. Samuel Nengia, has thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for appointing three illustrious sons of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area into positions of trust vis former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, as Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission; former Secretary of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Engr. Edward Namiesimagha, as Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and Surveyor Peter Ogolo, as Surveyor-, General of the state.
Hon. Nengia, who described the appointments as well deserved, however, enjoined the appointees to bring their leadership wealth of experience to bear in the herculean tasks of reviving their various areas of jurisdiction.
Bethel Toby