Bamanga Tukur begs for forgiveness as PDP Govs meet

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will today meet in Abuja, the nation's capital city, with the lingering political quagmire in the party as well as planned removal of its national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur topping the agenda.

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

It was gathered that the PDP governors meeting which will be a follow up to the one held penultimat Sunday, will also discuss the defection of five of its governors who operated under the aegis of G-7 into the All Progressives Congress, APC as top on the agenda.

The meeting which will take place at the Akwa Ibom State Governor's Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, will be attended by the 18 governors of the PDP, just as it will be presided over by Akwa-Ibom state governor and Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, (PDPGF), Godswill Akpabio.

It will be recalled that the governors at the end of their meeting penultimate Sunday had resolved that Bamanga Tukur must go if there must be peace in the party, even as the Governors at the end of the meeting vowed that it will be the only solution to the political logjam in the PDP against the backdrop that since he became chairman of the party in 2012, the party has not seen peace because of what it termed, his Administrative style which does not go in tandem with members of PDP.

Meanwhile, as the governors meet today, the PDP national Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has pleaded with all the aggrieved governors , members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders and members to learn to forgive him and one another irrespective of the gravity of the offence or provocation.

Tukur who begged the PDP governors that he has extended the hand of fellowship to them said, ' To our Governors of PDP extraction, I extend my right hand of fellowship, cooperation, peace and love to you all in the interest of our great Party. I further entreat Nigerians to eschew bitterness, rancor and acrimony in their social, political and economic dealing with fellow Nigerians.

'As one of the living fathers of this great country, I believe as elders our duty to our children and younger generation is to use our wisdom to show them the right path to selfless service to the nation and commitment to the enthronement of peace, love and unity. For our nation and our leaders can only succeed and thrive in an atmosphere of peace and love.'

In a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Prince Oliver Okpala, Tukur who urged party members to in the spirit of Christmas, embrace peace and love for one another said, 'as the Christmas draw nearer signifying the birth of Christ according to the Catholic Calendar and doctrine, I wish to once more as a father and elder statesman of our dear country offer my good counsel, wisdom and advice for national unity, peace, love and coexistence.

'While wishing Nigerians mostly Christians the best of the Christmas festivities and prosperous new year may I, utilize this opportunity to stress the urgent need for Nigerians to use this period to seek the face and intervention of God in institutionalizing brotherly care and peace both in our polity and dear country Nigeria.

'I call on all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or ethnic affiliation to henceforth see their fellow Nigerians as their brothers and sisters belonging to one corporate entity known as Nigeria.

'I further entreat Nigerians to eschew bitterness, rancor and acrimony in their social, political and economic dealing with fellow Nigerians.

'As one of the living fathers of this great country, I believe as elders our duty to our children and younger generation is to use our wisdom to show them the right path to selfless service to the nation and commitment to the enthronement of peace, love and unity. For our nation and our leaders can only succeed and thrive in an atmosphere of peace and love.

'I urge our leaders and Nigerians at large to emulate the shining leadership qualities of tolerance, forgiveness and accommodation of late South African President, Dr. Nelson Mandela who as President brought peace and harmony to South Africans irrespective of tribe, religion, colour or race.

'Let us place service to the nation first before personal or parochial interest. Let our desire be to make Nigeria greater than we met it and let our guiding principle and goal be for the unity of Nigeria as a peaceful corporate entity.

'Let us learn to forgive one another no matter the gravity of the offence or provocation. It should be noted that my cardinal 3Rs immediately I took over the mantle of leadership of PDP as the National Chairman centered principally on Reconciliation, Reformation and Rebuilding, all based on Equity and Justice.

'To our Governors of PDP extraction, I extend my right hand of fellowship, cooperation, peace and love to you all in the interest of our great Party and the government at the centre competently captained by our beloved President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan whose reformation agenda has given hope succor and salvation to Nigerians.

'Our Governors, I salute your courage and doggedness in the provision of abundant democratic dividends to your people in your different states in line with the PDP Constitution and Manifesto.

'You are our eyes and trusted allies who carry to the grassroot level our party commitment towards alleviating the sufferings of our people and making Nigerian an egalitarian society.

'To you all, our Distinguished Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and States Assemblies, I thank you and also extend my hand of fellowship to you while leaving my doors wide open for exchange of ideas, consultations and political activities aimed at taking our beloved party to greater heights.

'As an elder statesman, I also appreciate some of those Governors who are not of PDP extraction but are working closely with the President and PDP Governors to ensure the unity and progress of our dear nation, Nigeria.

'Once more I wave the white handkerchief to you all signifying peace, love and unity to all Nigerians and our dear country and also pray God in his wisdom and infinite mercy to help protect our dear country Nigeria and her citizens. Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year in advance. Vanguard