2015: PDP Will Remain Ruling Party- Jonathan

 …Says Some PDP Defectors will Return, Tukur's Successor Emerges Monday.

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday declared that the ruling Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) will continue to be the ruling party after 2015 adding that some

governors and members of PDP that defected to the All Progressive Congress

(APC) will return soon. Jonathan stated this while speaking at the 63rd National Executive Committee (NEC)f the PDP.

This comes as the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) endorsed the resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as chairman of the

party. Jonathan had presented the resignation letter of Tukur to the NEC members.

Presiding over formal ratification of Tukur's resignation, Jonathan

further declared that Tukur's replacement from the North East would emerge next Monday at a

NECmeeting of the party. In a show of gratitude to sacked national chairman for his loyalty to the

party, the president left with Tukur to the villa before the end of the NEC meeting

after he had promised to give him a tougher job in appreciation of Tukur's service

to the party. Jonathan while declaring the resignation of Tukur said “we have had some

internal problems that had been agitating the minds of our people. And let us

really commend the NWC of the party led by Bamanga Tukur. “The chairman of our party you have all known did not just wake up to be

chairman of the party. He is one of the founding fathers of our party, has held

several offices and has done very well. And for us to make sure that we rest this issue,

the party chairman has agreed to step aside. (Greeted with applause and standing

ovation). “He is not guilty in anyway. In fact I have to give him an assignment that is

tougher than PDP. Because we need people like Bamanga Tukur to market this

country and PDP, he has been doping that at the platform of African Roundtable but

he will get a tougher job than African Round Table. “So this is the letter from him announcing his stepping aside from office.

We did not read it to the media, it is from the party chairman to the secretary

of the party. “Let us meet on monday so that we will formally inaugurate a new chairman,

according to our constitution. So between now and Monday, we will look at our party

leaders from the North-East.” On the return of some of the governors and members of the PDP who left to

APC the president said “I also use this opportunity to plead with our party

members to be steadfast and committed to party activities. Even some of those people who

appeared to want to leave us and have left, from all indications and discussions

some of them will come back to the party. All that we need to do is ensure that the

party is united.” He said the party will henceforth hold more meetings. He highlighted that

he has agreed with the governors of the party meet every month in the interest of

the party and to fashion out ways to assist party members from state that are not

controlled by PDP. He noted “We want our National Working Committee members to ensure more

caucus meetings are held every quarter. We don't want to miss any one. And for

the NEC meeting we believe it should be held more regularly because this is an

election year, I have no alternative than to call NEC meeting so we have to liase

with the NWC to if possible hold the meeting every other month.”

He charged party members to be steadfast to party activities, stressing

that as long as party remains united, PDP will continue to be the ruling party.

While he added that PDP has created jobs through Agricultural sector, he

said by next Monday a dry season farming programme will be launched, adding that

N14bn would be made available for the project which targets 10 states from the North.

Jonathan who said the party has continued to bring development initiatives

over the years said his administration will continue to deliver dividends of

democracy to the people. Speaking earlier, Tukur, who presided over the meeting, in his opening and

final speech as chairman of the party, warned the PDP not to take its status as

ruling party for granted adding that gloating over being in power and remaining

in power no matter what, is dangerous, destructive and anti-democratic.

He said “We, as a ruling Party must therefore take our leading position

seriously and consistently pursue the enhancement of the good of the peoples of

Nigeria and also the grassroot appeal of our Party. “We can do this by upholding internal democracy, transparency, fairness

and probity in all our processes, as well as delivering through our governments, good

governance and services which impact positively on the lives of the hoi polloi.

“It follows that gloating over being in power and remaining in power no

matter what, is dangerous, destructive and anti-democratic. Preoccupation with power

tussles and undue confrontation have strangulating effect on any political platform.

And ours cannot be different. “We must remind ourselves that politics is the only sensible peaceful

means mankind has devised to discipline and manage diverse, competing interests in

society; whileremaining focused on the improvement and transformation of their existential

possibilities. A conscious effort therefore, must be made to avoid

self-inflicted difficulties even as we remain focused on the promotion of cooperation,

cohesion and inclusivity among social forces and group interests in our Party and

society.” However some of the contenders for Tukur's replacement are minister of

transport, Idris Umar from Borno State, former Deputy National Secretary, Dr. Babayo

Shehu and former Bauchi state governor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, pioneer National Treasurer of PDP, Shettima Mustafa;

Other are former national Chairman of Grassroots Development Movement

(GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan, Chairman of Federal Government Contract Verification Committee, Alhaji

Sherif Bunu and former FCT Minister, Alhaji Abba Gana.