Politics
PDP And The Emergence Of Tukur
For yet another convention, ‘consensus’ has emerged as the moving spirit behind the PDP politicking and choice of leaders. In 1999, at the first post-election convention of the party, the notion of ‘consensus’ was introduced and has been sustained, especially for the top-most office of the National Chairman.
The last but one convention, for instance, produced a former secretary of the party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor as consensus candidate of the party for the chairmanship position, as other contenders for the plumb job, led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu announced their withdrawal from the race at the last minute at the Eagle Square venue of the convention after much horse-trading.
Even when Ogbulafor rode against the tide and found himself in troubled waters with Aso Rock, where Dr Goodluck Jonathan held sway as Acting President following the incapacitation of his then boss, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the shopping for Ogbulafor’s successor was also done via ‘consensus,’ as the party bowed to the whims and caprices of Aso Rock, queuing behind it and its anointed candidate,’ former Enugu State Governor, Dr Okwesileze Nwodo.
The Spirit of ‘Consensus’ later showed itself across the PDP horizon when Nwodo’s dictatorial traits, which metamorphosed him into a maximum rule, hit the roof. Aso Rock could not take his firm grip, which some view as ‘pocketing’ of the party. Nwodo believed that the buck stopped at his desk, but Aso Rock viewed that as too autocratic and Nwodo was booted out unceremoniously like his predecessor, Ogbulafor, for the preferred choice, Deputy National Chairman, Mallam Haliru Bello Mohammed, to wear the party’s biggest administrative shoe, in acting capacity.
‘Consensus’ again played itself out, as it were, in the choice of Mallam Mohammed’s successor as the party’s helmsman. Mohammed successfully established himself as an ardent supporter of, and believer in, President Jonathan and his unfettered loyalty earned him the ministerial slot of the nation’s Defence ministry. Expectedly, again, the party queued behind the avowed and undisputed leader of the party in Aso Rock in the replacement of Mohammed, which saw the emergence of Alhaji Kawu Baraje who occupied the coveted office (in Acting capacity) till the March 24, 2012 National Convention.
This whole thing about consensus in PDP, by the way, is traceable to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who within a year of ascendancy to power (1999) deftly upstaged the military powers that foisted him on the party and unleased this ‘consensus’ process that has endured. He ensured that no one with vestiges of the military and political past was in the race, as he successfully warded-off all of them.
He installed Chief Barnabas Gemade, his preferred candidate and a newbreed politician without any discernible link with godfathersim or power brokers. Ever since, Obasanjo, as president and as the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman successfully entrenched this norm in the annals of the PDP.
For the 2012 convention though, the ‘Consensus’ tendency, philosophy and policy of the party was akin to a ride on a tiger’s back for Aso Rock. It was far from being the anticipated ‘smooth ride’ for President Jonathan as equally powerful blocs withstood the President in his choice of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, President of African Business Round Table, as Chairmanship candidate. Tukur had earlier lost out at the party’s zonal congress held nation-wide a week to the convention, to relatively unknown younger politician.
Prior to the zonal congress in Tukur’s North-East geo-political zone where former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, Jonathan’s runner-up in last year’s PDP’s presidential primary, held sway, a kite was flown against the candidature of Tukur.
The kite rubbished the highly-esteemed credentials of Tukur as an ace politician, established technocrat and astute businessman known for political sagacity during his days as presidential aspirant in the 3rd Republic, as it portrayed him as ‘too old’ for the job and being an ally of Ibrahim Babangida, who will carry out the bidding of a known foe of the Jonathan’s government.
This kite flew so well and robbed Tukur of victory at the zone, thus giving Jonathan more headache, sleepless night and turbulent ride to the convention.
Beside the challenge from the North East, governors of PDP-controlled states resolved not to be ‘Yes men’ to the yearning and leaning of the party’s leader and assumed ‘god’ of Aso Rock. Infact, they were defiant and harry in pursuing this resolve.
Jonathan, indeed, met a brick wall at the party’s NEC meeting that was expected to adopt Tukur as consensus candidate. The Tide learnt that the governors would not bulge at a close-door meeting held on the eve of the convention inspite of political maneuvering at the highest level of the party to achieve this.
The initial carrots offered by the President to pacify the governors over his choice of Tukur was also rebuffed, and vehemently too.
A credible party source who confided in The Tide and does not want his name in print said,” The leadership of the Nigerian governors Forum (NGF) was very vocal at the close-door meeting and insisted that the governors must be carried along in deciding who holds what office in the party.
The President and his Vice were told, point-blank, that as former governors, they’re well abreast of the enormity of the power that governors wield, hence governors’ power to dictate the pace of the convention should not be undermined.
Our source continued: “It was the National Assembly leadership that saved the face of the President and saved the day at the meeting. Senate President, David Mark was swift to reply the governors, who he reportedly told: “Yes, it’s true that governors wield power and nobody is saying governors do not have power, but those of you who came to power through the rulling of the court may not know or better appreciate what it takes to win election through the ballot box.
“If it is so (ie that the governors are unbending and unyielding in matters pertaining to the convention), then we (leadership of the National Assembly) will return to the National Assembly, hold consultations among ourselves (members) and come up with a communiqué.
The Tide learnt that this statement by Senator Mark was major instrument that weakened the governor’s position, and contributed to their caving-in, to allow the President a smooth sail at the convention.
Remarkably, the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting ended with a volt-face, but with the governors’ position (of not supporting the candidature of Tukur) heavily watered down, thereby giving an inkling to the fact that a compromise or near compromise will be reached in subsequent meetings on the controversial choice of who leads the avowed largest party in Africa.
The governors had their meeting, ostensibly, to review the NEC meeting, so did the Presidency and leadership of the National Assembly, and, of course, in conformity with the aphorism that ‘the godfathers never sleep,’ the PDP’s godfather never slept on the issue as series of meeting were hatched, some of which dragged on late into the nights. There were obvious horse-trading and counter horse-trading while fences were being mended.
While horse-trading intensified, Jonathan found an ally in a political mega-force of the party in the north East, which rose in defence of Jonathan’s choice of Tukur and dismissed the allegations peddled against Tukur, especially his link with IBB.
The party’s chieftain in Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa said “It was a mere weapon used to weaken the campaign of Tukur. Those from the South see Babangida as a god, an invincible political warhorse with fingers in every pie. We, Northerners do not see him that way. Everything, even the impossible ones are always attributed to him by the South. They said Jonathan made a mistake in picking on Tukur because he is Babangida’s boy Haba!”
As seconfs ticked away before the convention, the Presidency moved on and opted for the adoption of a carrot and stick approach. With a smattering of godfathers led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on its side, the Presidency was unrelenting in initiating meeting to resolve the impasse before the convention. At this stage, the governors kept insisting on relevance, though subtly and behind the scene, just as the uncoordinated godfathers posed from the fringes and managed to put up a puerile voice.
The meetings were more pronounced some three weeks to the convention, as it became a daily ritual at the villa, for President Jonathan, as leader of the party, could not afford to be humbled by opposing forces, intransigence at the convention. Eventually the series of meetings paid off as the positions were amicably shared among the contending ‘forces’ the Presidency, Governors and Godfathers.
While the Presidency got the positions of National chairman, Deputy National chairman, National Secretary and National Organising Secretary the rest positions were produced by the governors. The godfathers were left out in this arrangement and as expected, the were disenchanted about it so they re-aligned, and pitched their tent with the governors, although to a considerable extent, their approach was considered nebulous, didactic and incongruous.
Their re-alignment and cohesion paid-off as subsequent meetings with the Presidency and the Governors produced a new sharing formula for the emergence of the new lords of the ruling party.
The new formula runs thus: Presidency: National Chairman, governors: Deputy National Chairman. National Secretary, National Organising Secretary and National Youth Leader, godfather/Leaders: Publicity Secretary, Woman Leader, National Auditor, Financial Secretary, Deputy National Youth Leader and Deputy National Organising Secretary.
Dr Shettima Mustapha, one of the contenders for the PDP plumb job was to act the script that has already been written. He mounted the rostrum and announced the withdrawal of All But One of the eleven chairmanship candidates.
Those who withdrew and cleared the coast for Tukur were: Prof. Rufai Alkali, Senator Abba Aji, Adamu Muazu, Dr Musa Babayaro, Ibrahim Birma, Hon Adamu Bello, Gabom Lawan, Ambassador Idris Adamu Waziri and Arch Ibrahim Bunu.
In the final analysis, the trio Presidency, Governors and godfathers/leaders club left the convention satisfied that they won the day.
A closer look at those who emerged shows that Jonathan and his Vice, Arch Namadi Sambo have a loyalist each in the 12-member NWC, Tukur and Alhaji Abubakar Mustapher, Chairman and Organising Secretary respectiviely, Obasanjo ‘planted’ Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Bala Kaoje and Bode Mustapha Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor respectively, in addition to Ex-Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, who emerged as South West Chairman, while Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State produced the Deputy National Chairman, Sam Sam Jaja.
It is also important to note that the new Women Leader, Mrs Kema Chikwe, is an Obasanjo loyalist and the Youth Leader hails from Niger State, where another Obasanjo loyalist, Babangida Alliya sits as Governor.
Thus, while it could be safely said that Obasanjo has a sizeable control over the new NWC, same cannot be said of Jonathan and Sambo, thus asserting control over the NWC may prove an uphill task for the President and his Vice, except of course, they enlist the support of OBJ.
A PDP chieftain was emphatic and unequivocal on this. According to him, Jonathan and Sambo have very limited influence on the current exco. He cannot ride roughshod over the party”. What’s more? The party appears to have shot itself on the foot in its failure to assign role, no matter how passive it may seem, to its founding fathers, three of whom were spotted at the convention, Chief Solomon Lar, Dr Alex Ekwueme and Prof Jerry Gana, but could play no role throughout the convention.
Chairman of the Conention Planning Committee, Chief Ojo Madueke believed that the aim of the convention, which is to “re-invent ourselves” was achieved while Chairman of the Electoral Panel and Defence Minister, Dr Mohammed, expressed satisfaction with the process that produced the Tukur-led NWC, but many believe it is actually an ‘affirmation’ of preferred candidates.
Meanwhile, out-going chairman, Baraje, left these words for the Tukur’s team: .. One of the major challenges that the next leadership of the party should checkmate is the issue of undesirable pressure groups (within the party),” which in his words “operates hydrated block against the advancement and progress of the party”.
How this came to fruition at the end of the day may largely be known as event unfold in days, months, or years to come, depending on how the powers that be in the ruling party interprets the drama.
Justus Awaji, Abuja
Politics
Senegal: Faye Set To Become Youngest Elected African President As Rival Concedes Defeat
Senegalese politician, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, (44), is set to become the youngest elected leader on the African continent.
While Faye’s main rival, Amadou Ba, from the ruling coalition had said a run-off might happen to determine the winner, at least five of the 19 candidates in the race had issued statements to congratulate Faye as of early Monday.
“For our part, and considering the feedback of the results from our team of experts, we are certain that, in the worst case scenario, we will go to a run-off,” Ba, a former Senegalese Prime Minister, had said.
But as Faye’s lead got wider, Ba called to concede victory in Sunday’s presidential elections, BBC quoted a government official to have said.
Faye’s lead had spurred his followers to troop out in celebration on the streets of the capital, Dakar, on Sunday.
Reports revealed that millions took part in a peaceful day of voting to elect Senegal’s fifth president after three years of unprecedented political turbulence that triggered violent anti-government protests and bolstered support for the opposition.
Faye is a Senegalese politician and a former tax inspector, who also served as the General Secretary of dissolved PASTEF.
He contested the highest political position in the West African country in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.
Senegalese voters had a choice among 19 contenders to replace Sall, who is stepping down after a second term marred by unrest over the prosecution of opposition leader Sonko.
The incumbent was not on the ballot for the first time in Senegal’s history. His ruling coalition picked Ba, 62, as its candidate.
In a country of over 18 million people, 7.3 million people were registered to vote, and about 71 percent voter turnout was recorded, Senegal’s State TV reported.
Politics
Writing Judgment For Presidential Election Tribunal Allegation, FG Arraigns One
The Federal Government has arraigned one Chike Ibezim for allegedly defaming Babatunde Fashola, former Minister of Works and Housing.
Ibezim is one of three individuals who alleged that Fashola had written the judgments of the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) that dismissed the petitions by the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibezim was arraigned on Monday before a federal high court in Abuja on a six-count charge.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/434/2023, borders on criminal conspiracy, cyberstalking, and defamation, among others.
The matter is before Bolaji Olajuwon and has been adjourned till April 15 for continuation of trial.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim and Reportera.ng (body corporate) now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit an illegal Act to wit: criminal conspiracy; when you jointly agreed to publish a defamatory statement of false allegations in your online social media, the reportera.ng news, against His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, without justification, you thereby commit offence punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cyber-crime Prohibition, Prevention Act 2015.”
However, Fashola said the allegation was “baseless and defamatory”.
The former minister described those behind the allegations as “agents of destabilisation”.
Politics
Soludo’s Performance Assessment, APGA Tackles LP Chieftain
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has faulted a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Valentine Ozigbo, over his comments that the performance of Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, after two years in office, was “not impressive.”
Mr Ozigbo, who was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 Anambra State governorship election, now a chieftain of the LP, stated during an interactive session with journalists last weekend that he was not impressed about Governor Soludo’s performance and has therefore decided to contest the 2025 governorship election in the state.
He said, “We have seen the leadership of Soludo in two years, and some of you may be impressed, but I am not. After the last election in 2021, I called and wished him well and moved on, and we have never spoken again. My decision was to assess him after two years, and having seen it, I am not impressed, and I want to start holding him accountable.
“I am here to share my thoughts with you, what I think, and no matter how you see what he (Soludo) is doing, you will be more proud when I mount the saddle.
“We need to change the narrative and look for a way to survive. We must fight to rescue Anambra. I am a non-transactional politician. I have several things I can do, but my worry is how we can recover the state and put her on the path of development.
“Zoning is a good thing. But it must be combined with competence to make sense. Don’t pick a renegade just because he is from a certain zone, and don’t pick the best, when you know you can pick one that is better.”
Mr Ozigbo said further, “I respect zoning, and I will be making a case for a single term of four years. Anyone who sees what Alex Otti is doing in Abia State will know that four years is enough time to do a lot of work.
“I will honour that principle of zoning, and I will not need anyone’s push or prompting to do otherwise. I will be ready to do an agreement and do an undertaking that I will do just one term. I also wish to tell you that Peter Obi has been consistent that a southerner who emerges will only do one term.
“It is a settled matter that I intend to run for just one term. I intend to keep faith with the agreement.”
But reacting to the development in a telephone interview with The Tide’s source on Monday, APGA spokesman, Tony Olisa-Mbeki, dismissed Mr Ozigbo’s utterances, insisting he has nothing to offer the people of the state.
Mr Olisa-Mbeki said, “He is a political stooge. What could he possibly bring in? Last I checked, he only managed Transcorp Hotel. Is that a qualification to be a governor in Anambra State? Soludo runs an inclusive government in Anambra; that is why he holds town hall meetings with different sectors. What other approach to governance is Ozigbo talking about?
“Anambra State governance is not for learners like Ozigbo. Ozigbo can’t even give a good lecture; he would be better suited working as a PA to any governor. Ozigbo’s aspirations in the previous gubernatorial contest in Anambra found him trailing in third place under the banner of the PDP, despite the staunch endorsement from former APGA governor, Peter Obi.
“That alone should tell him that APGA is like an apostle’s creed to Ndi Anambra. However, what reforms could Ozigbo propose? Anambra State, under Governor Soludo’s leadership, is a testament to political and socio-economic ingenuity.”
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