Jonathan Rejects Demands Of 'New PDP'

…Says, 'I can't stop EFCC from probing any Nigerian'

…Silent on 2015 ambition
BARELY 24 hours after a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the aggrieved governors in which there were clear commitments on all sides to resolve all issues factionalizing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and all parties to shield their swords and avoid further inflammatory comments on issues, the Presidency has dropped a bombshell, vowing that the president will not honour the demands of the splinter group, the New PDP.

A communique issued after last Sunday's meeting had hinted that all parties in the squabble accepted to commence immediate action and agreed towards complete resolution of all matters and will continue to meet until all processes toward reconciliation were totally complete.

But the political adviser to President Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, said after a separate meeting he had with the president on Monday that none of the three cardinal demands of the aggrieved governors will be considered by the president.

He rather insisted that the aggrieved governors had no choice than to fall in line.

Gulak gave the cardinal demands of the aggrieved governors as hinging on the president's 2015 presidential ambition, the removal of Bamanga Tukur, as well as suspension of the corruption case against the former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki.

Speaking to State House correspondents, the presidential aide maintained the grounds that the constitution of the party and that of the country cover the president if he shows interest in the 2015 elections.

He equally insisted that the factional chairman, Bamanga Tukur, was duly elected and cannot be forced out of office.

'I have always said PDP has its internal mechanism to resolve its problems. Whatever crisis the outsiders may think we have, we are talking, we are dialoguing, peace is gradually returning to PDP in accordance with the constitution of the party and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These two documents are our guide, we abide by them and we are dialoguing in accordance with the provision of the constitution.

'I will tell you that PDP is the only national party that has maintained its name and identity since 1998 till date, nobody can beat that record.

'The national chairman has no problem, he was elected and I always say that as there are processes for election, there are processes for removal or resignation.

So nobody can cajole anybody to say the national chairman will not survive. Nobody is against the national chairman.

'I have said it before that 2015, national chairman, EFCC, these are the three demands and we have to be guided by the constitution. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended has given Mr. President the right to offer himself for second term if he so chooses and nobody, either individual or group can abridge his constitutional right. If he decides not to contest, let it be on his own volition, not because he is intimidated or cajoled into doing that.

'Secondly, about EFCC, I have said it before and will say it again, Mr President will never ask such an independent body not to carry out their job or statutory function. The third is about national chairman and I have said he emerged through the process of election and his removal is also guided by constitutional provisions.

'Politics is about give and take. What camp are you talking about? There is no camp. There is only one PDP please and that PDP as at today is led by Bamanga Tukur. There is only one PDP, that we have some aggrieved members does not derogate from the fact that there is only one PDP and these aggrieved members, the elders are already talking to them and they are understanding the constitutional provisions and all of us must be guided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and by the constitution of our party.

'We don't just do things just because we want to do them; we must abide by the principles of democracy and the  principles of democracy must be abided with,' he said.

The Nigerian Tribune recalled that the New PDP had last week insisted that the conditions given to President Jonathan by the group must all be met and within stipulated time before peace can return to the party.

The group dismissed reports that the crisis rocking the party would soon be over.

The national youth leader of the New PDP, Comrade Timi Frank had insisted that though discussions were ongoing, the crisis would be far from over until all the conditions given to the President were met within the stipulated time.

He stated that if the conditions were not met within the stipulated time, the leadership of the new PDP would unveil its next plan of action when and if any agreement is reached with its numerous supporters across the country.

Frank maintained that the new PDP would not betray the trust of the Nigerian people.

The youth leader said it was wrong for Gulak to have attempted to hoodwink party members into believing that a truce was in sight while knowing that the truth remained that except some sacrifices were made by the President and his allies, it would be practically difficult for the crisis to be over.

'The truth remains that the crisis in the PDP is far from over. While there has been ongoing talks,  it would be wrong for persons, who in the first place instigated this crisis, to begin to play to the gallery.

'The truth remains that options are open but definitely the crisis is far from over, more so that we have noticed that even in the middle of discussions, there seem to be shifting of goal posts.

'It is regrettable that informations made available suggest that attempts were being made to hound up members of the New PDP in some states like Bayelsa. Such practices will only aggravate ongoing negotiations

'Reports just coming in indicates that some members of the New PDP in Bayelsa State are being haunted for identifying with the party, with the new PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt been sealed off by police
'I dare say that if this is the case, then it would be a grievous mistake as actions like these will only worsen matters. I urge the Nigeria police to concentrate on security issues and kidnappings ravaging the country instead of joining in internal political matters.

'The constitution of the Federal Republic is clear as it relates to freedom of association, even more as regards the factionalisation of a party even as stated by INEC.

It would therefore, amount to outright breach of the constitution as well as abuse of the rule of law and denial of fundamental human rights for persons to be haunted or arrested based on the current crisis in the PDP. We shall resist such attempts as they are simply barbaric.

'I want to urge security agencies to remain neutral and not to join in the present squabble in the party. I also enjoin party stalwarts, supporters and indeed Nigerians to remain steadfast in the bid to enthrone a new order and instill internal democracy within the ruling party,' he said.