WAR OF WORDS: Rebel Governors Clash With PDP Leadership Again

 

The New Peoples Democratic Party and the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP  have  renewed their war of words on  the crisis rocking the ruling party.

While the New PDP, through its National Secretary, Chukwuemeka Eze,  accused Tukur of blocking Sunday’s meeting between  President Goodluck Jonathan and the seven aggrieved PDP governors, the PDP national  chairman  distanced himself from the allegation.

The New PDP had in a statement by Eze, called on the  founding fathers of the PDP not to remain silent  over the crisis in the PDP  because Tukur was not happy with the ongoing reconciliatory meetings.

Jonathan had on his arrival from London,  postponed another round of  meeting he was billed to hold with the rebel governors in the Presidential Villa on Sunday. Although  he cited jet lag and  ill health  as reasons, it was gathered  that  he was under pressure from  hawks in government to do so.

Before  he announced the postponement, some of the  rebel governors had arrived in Abuja, hoping that the meeting would hold.

However, the New PDP said the suspension of four of its key members, Alhaji Abubakar  Baraje, erstwhile National Chairman of the PDP; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola,  Dr. Sam Sam Jaja  and Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure by the Tukur-led National Working Committee  of the ruling party,  was aimed at further aggravating the crisis in the  ruling party.

The New PDP said, “As if that(suspension)  is not enough, Tukur has also told whoever cares to listen that the proposed peace meeting of President Jonathan and the G-7 governors cannot see the light of the day as long as he is the national chairman of  the PDP.

“Instructively and shockingly, the meeting which was scheduled to be held last(Sunday) night was put off at the last minute by Mr. President, who is the PDP National Leader, despite publicly announcing that he was fit again and set to resume work last night upon his return from his London trip.”

But  Tukur   told the new PDP that  he was  not part of  its members problems. He advised  the members  not to make him the arrowhead of their political war.

Tukur, through his media aide, Mr. Oliver Okpala, told newsmen in Abuja that the meeting  between the rebel governors and  Jonathan was  purely an initiative of the Presidency.

He said, “It is wrong and completely unreasonable for any right thinking person to accuse Tukur of having a hand in the deadlock of the meeting because it is a presidential initiative and not an NWC affair, where Tukur presides.

“Therefore, there is no way he can get involved or frustrate such a presidential initiative. The so-called factional members should desist from insulting   the integrity of Tukur, who is a nationalist.

“Tukur is not part of their political problem and therefore should not be seen as the arrowhead of their political fight. The earlier these people retreated  from their rascality, the better for them.”