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
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.