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Tag: Cracks

  • Cracks in PDP over quest for Northwest candidate

    •As party seeks to break Buhari’s grip on zone
    •Governors kick over Wike’s romance with aspirant
    •Uncomfortable with Port Harcourt as convention venue

    Anxiety is spreading within the top hierarchy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as pressure mounts on delegates to the  forthcoming  national convention to pick  the party’s presidential candidate from the Northwest.

    Proponents of a northwest candidate say it is the only way the party can stand a reasonable chance of defeating President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Buhari is from Katsina State, one of the seven states that make up the zone.

    The zone has the largest voting population of about 18 million.

    However, some other PDP members say there should be no micro-zoning the ticket to any zone as doing so will automatically foreclose the aspiration of the likes of Senate President Bukola Saraki (from Northcentral), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (Northeast), Chief David Mark (Northcentral), Senator Jonah Jang (Northcentral) and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo (Northeast), and generate bad blood ahead of an election they need to contest as a united front.

    Also currently causing unease in the party is the venue of the national convention.

    The Nation   gathered that the convention might come up on Saturday, October 6 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Many governors elected on the platform of the PDP see the host governor, Nyesom Wike, as a strong backer of one of the presidential aspirants, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

    They fear that Wike might unduly influence the process of the party’s primaries in favour of Tambuwal.

    Some of the governors met in Abuja during the week and  have been exploring ways of  checkmating  Wike from imposing a presidential candidate on the party.

    The issue of consensus candidate has been discarded all together by the 12 PDP presidential aspirants with all of them fully focused on the primaries.

    The aspirants are Atiku, Saraki, Mark, Jang, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, ex-Minister Tanimu Kabiru Turaki, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, ex governors Sule Lamido and Dalhatu Attahiru Bafarawa.

    A governor elected on the platform of the party admitted that there has been pressure from power brokers in the party, PDP stalwarts and strategists to shop for a candidate from the North-West against Buhari.

    His words:”Without prejudice to other presidential aspirants, there is pressure on PDP governors to zero in on the North-West for our presidential candidate.

    “The argument of those pro-Northwest is the need for PDP to take the battle to the stronghold of Buhari where he commands cult followership.

    “It is taken for granted that the Southsouth, the Southeast and a part of the Northcentral might be controlled by PDP.

    “I must confess to you that most of us in the PDP Governors Forum are buying into the idea because with the exception of Atiku from the Northeast (whose nomination might split the party) no other aspirants could match Buhari in the North.

    “We have a challenge with Atiku, Saraki, Dankwambo and others who are insisting that the primaries should be left open.

    “Before some of these aspirants defected to PDP and even prior to the emergence of the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, our party had commissioned a research  which favoured ceding the presidential ticket to the North with our target on the Northwest.”

    Responding to a question, the governor said: “The danger of not micro-zoning the presidential slot in PDP is that the money-bag aspirants will use their huge cash to buy over delegates which might lead to the emergence if a weak candidate for our party.”

    On the suspicion that Wike has bias for one of the presidential aspirants, the governor said: “We know Wike might want to use his political influence in favour of his preferred aspirant   but we are battle ready to checkmate him.

    “We want the best for PDP, we will not allow imposition by Wike who is showing a suspicious interest in the presidential primaries.”

    On the choice of Port Harcourt, the governor said: “We learnt that Rivers State was the first to indicate interest than others because of the high cost implications.

    “Also, it is a honour for Prince Uche Secondus who is from the state. Some members of the National Working Committee said the PDP cannot hold its convention in Abuja because it will clash with that of APC.”

    Separate sources confirmed that most of the PDP presidential aspirants have lost interest in the idea of a consensus candidate.

    It was gathered that the Board of Trustees (BOT) was unable to convince the aspirants to buy into the idea.

    All the aspirants have insisted that they want delegates to determine their fate.

    When contacted, the Director of Media and Publicity of Tanimu Kabiru Turaki Campaign Organization, Mr. Sola Atere said: “I thought the party has gone beyond that (consensus) because there was no agreement at the last meeting. The BoT chairman is raising a committee

    “For our campaign organization, we have always been loyal, this is why our aspirant never defected.

    “He was one of those who rescued the party from mercenaries. If they say consensus, it is fine with us; if they say primaries, it is well with us.”

    Most of the aspirants have intensified their shuttles to delegates in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Findings also confirmed that some of the aspirants have set up full-fledged campaign structures.

    How the aspirants have fared so far

    SARAKI:

    Saraki has a strong bond with many statutory delegates including members of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly. By virtue of his position as a former governor, he is also at home with governors and others. The emergence of the President of the Senate as the National Leader of PDP has caused some political quake in the camps of Atiku and Tambuwal who hitherto felt Saraki would work for them. They are yet to recover from the declaration of Saraki for President.

    He has a huge war chest and as a risk taker, he can deploy his fortunes to secure the ticket. Apart from his romance with one of the foreign missions in the country, Saraki is well-connected in the business community such that sponsorship will not be a problem if he gets the PDP ticket.

    He has been going round the country to talk to delegates.

    This is likely  to fetch him goodwill from Northcentral, some parts of the Southeast like Enugu where his political Siamese twin, the Deputy President of the Senate, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu comes from.

    But what might work against him is the allegation that he is over-ambitious, which some PDP governors detest. His candidature might be a liability to PDP’s electoral fortunes in the North where he is regarded more as a Southerner than a Northerner. This same feeling affected the presidential ambition of his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki in the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the First Republic (1979-1983).

    Contrary to his assumption, PDP bigwigs will not forgive him for making the party lose in 2015. All his recent trips to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and others may amount to nothing.

    Saraki might have noticed the slippery terrain when in his state, nomination for Kwara Central Senatorial District is still left open. He might seek solace in a return to the Senate. He has a subsisting agreement to re-emerge as Senate President if PDP wins the 2019 poll.

    ATIKU ABUBAKAR

    He is a serial presidential aspirant and the most experienced political tactician among the lot although his “magic wand” has always failed him. He is also the oldest presidential aspirant in the PDP having been in the struggle since 1992. Apart from his ambition to lead the nation, Atiku’s main problem is from the elites who do not want him for unknown reasons. If the race is credible and transparent, the ex-VP has enormous resources to outwit all other aspirants. But the conspiracy of the PDP governor may rob him of votes.

    He has what it takes in terms of vision, economic roadmap, commitment to national unity and cosmopolitan outlook to give Buhari a fight but some power brokers like ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo will oppose him. Obasanjo, some weeks ago, said God would not forgive him if he supported   Atiku’s aspiration. But the former VP still enjoys goodwill nationwide.

    TAMBUWAL

    He appeared to be the leading aspirant until the coming of   Abubakar and Saraki. In the past few weeks, the tempo of his activities has been very slow because of the heavyweight presidential aspirants in PDP. The declaration of ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa for presidency is also a major setback because the former governor had the control of PDP structure in Sokoto State before Tambuwal defected. He has a big problem at home following the collapse of his alliance with Bafarawa and his campaign reach is limited nationwide. He relies much on Governor Nyesom Wike, his bosom friend, and a prominent traditional ruler in the North to do the magic of delivering the ticket to him. But the Wike factor might also turn out to be Tambuwal’s undoing.

    Sources say  Tambuwal has  a Plan B in the event that he fails to get the presidential ticket: a return to the  Sokoto Government House. The risk appears enormous.

    He has a big acceptability problem with the Jonathan elements in the party.

    ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA

    An astute businessman, Bafarawa’s ambition is causing ripples and nightmare for Tambuwal. Although he has a rich political experience, he does not have the financial wherewithal to prosecute a presidential campaign that can match other moneybags in the race. His lingering case with the EFCC might be a slight problem despite the fact that he recently survived 11-year trial by the same anti-graft agency. The general feeling in PDP is that he might step down for a stronger candidate.

    TANIMU KABIRU TURAKI

    Some see him as  an underdog but his campaign organization has input from the loyalists of Jonathan, strategists of ex-President Ibrahim Babangida and ex-VP Namadi Sambo. He is intellectually deeper than some of the aspirants and his blueprint for economic recovery is outstanding. But he is a rookie presidential aspirant because the highest office he has occupied is that of Minister of Special Duties under Jonathan.

    An aspirant without blemish, Tanimu has had campaign runs nationwide more than any of the aspirants. He has gained mileage in Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Cross River, Taraba, Oyo, Bayelsa, Ondo, Osun, Sokoto and Niger. He might split the votes from Kwara and Adamawa at the convention.

    AHMED MAKARFI

    A brilliant chef whose cuisine revived the PDP, Makarfi is intelligent, cool-headed, contented and visionary. His success story in Kaduna State as a governor makes him to fit into the bill of a leader who can address the security and ethnocentric challenges facing the nation. He had an unwritten agreement with PDP governors who have jettisoned the pact. He is on his own with limited resources but exotic ideas. If PDP is a conscientious party, Makarfi should be its candidate. Despite his tortuous campaign nationwide, he is still a laggard.

    SULE LAMIDO

    An experienced politician whose fortress is party management, Lamido left worthy legacies in Jigawa State as a governor. His moral credentials for the presidency have been tainted by his implications in alleged contract scam alongside his children. With the smear, his campaign is dead on arrival despite his closeness to ex-President Obasanjo. The desolate nature of his campaign secretariat in an obscure place Abuja speaks volume of his mileage.

    RABIU KWANKWASO

    Kwankwaso is a political asset no doubt but he has a restricted politically volatile constituency in Kano State. Apart from his stint as a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Minister of Defence, he does not command national appeal compared to some of his co-aspirants. His delivery of Kano State to APC in 2015 remains his reference point. But he was on a self-imposed exile in the last three years culminating in a diminishing return for his political empire. For his loyalty to Obasanjo, he was early in the race regarded as the “anointed” candidate of PDP but political calculations have not favoured him. Despite his presidential aspiration, he has  a senatorial ticket tucked somewhere.

    The recent defection of ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and his irresolvable differences with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje made his chances very slim. Although he came second during the APC presidential primaries for the 2015 poll, he lacks the resources to repeat the feat now.

     

    He might win sympathy votes from PDP delegates from states in the Northwest during the primaries.

    DAVID MARK

    The erudite but forgotten former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, is banking on past military glory and the agitation of the Middle Belt for proper integration to seek PDP presidential ticket. His campaign has a bedroom colour because he is not known to be keen. As a military strategist, PDP leaders are anxious to know what he is up to after being a benchwarmer in the Senate since 2015. He is gifted in all ramifications but his shuttles to states lacked any significant bite.

    DAVID JANG

    Another late comer in the race, ex-Governor Jang’s presidential race is belated because when he had the opportunity, he did not throw his hat into the ring at the right time. He is a Middle Belt emancipation zealot, a disposition which has limited his political horizon. Many PDP leaders and members are of the opinion that Jang’s aspiration is designed to cover up his ongoing trial by the EFCC.

    DATTI BABA-AHMED

    Datti, the owner of the famous Baze University in Abuja, is known for his sustained advertisements on the front page of some newspapers. He is erudite but apart from being a former Senator, his ambition is a matter of the future. He cannot even match Makarfi in Kaduna State much more nationwide.

    IBRAHIM DANKWAMBO

    A suave accountant, Governor Dankwambo has earned much respect with his commitment to grassroots development. A former Accountant-General of the Federation, the governor is noted for prudence. He has vigorously campaigned in all the 36 states but as a neophyte in politics, he has a slim edge of emerging PDP candidate. He has age on his side which qualifies him if PDP wants power to shift to younger generation.

     

     

  • Cracks in Benue PDP over Ortom’s defection plan

    •Suswam may join APC •‘Governor to submit resignation letter today’

    There seems to cracks in the Benue State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the decision of the National Working Committee (NEC) to admit Governor Samuel Ortom into the party and dissolve the executive headed by Chief John Ngbede.

    The deal was allegedly sealed in Ortom’s favour by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and PDP’s National Chairman Uche Secondus.

    Investigations showed that the NWC seems to have technically ignored former Governor Gabriel Suswam, who is the sole financier and leader of PDP in the state, by assuring Ortom and Barnabas Gemade of getting the governorship and Zone A senatorial tickets in 2019.

    The Nation gathered that the executives may be dissolved this week to accommodate the interests of Ortom and Senator Gemade. This may also force Suswan to join the APC and pick the Benue North East Senatorial ticket where he will compete against Gemade.

    At a funeral in Tarka Local Government at the weekend, Senator George Akume referred to  Suswam as “my beloved son” for the first in about 10 years.

    Those at the burial said it was an indication that both have reconciled.

    Efforts to speak with PDP’s state publicity secretary Bemgba Iortyom were unsuccessful and as at last night, Ortom, Suswam and Akume were locked in various meetings to fine tune the new political realignment.

    Speculations are also rife that Ortom will today submit his resignation letter to chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his Nzorov ward, Guma Local Government Area.

    Since Ortom announced that APC had given him a red card, there have been speculations that he may soon defect to another party.

    But so far the governor has denied joining any party. But rumours have it that Ortom may be heading back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on whose platform he served as the Minister of State, contested the  governorship primaries and lost, before joining the APC and won the governorship election.

    It was gathered from the governor’s close aide that after submitting his resignation letter today, Ortom will formally inform his kinsmen in Guma council of his intention to dump the APC.

    A source who is privy to the deal, said the PDP structure in the state would likely be handed over to Ortom after defecting.

    But a PDP member seeking election into the House of Assembly said Ortm cannot take over the party structure since former Governor Gabriel Suswam is still the leader.

    He said: “We can’t stop Governor Ortom from joining PDP, but we are waiting for the sharing formula to be made public before we know the next step to follow.”

    Another PDP member said: “If the deal to bring Governor Ortom into the party does not favour us, we shall defect to the APC.”

  • 2019: Cracks in opposition as parties ask PDP to change name

    • Say Nigerians associate party with corruption
    • No way – PDP scribe
    • Party to raise committee for coalition modalities
    • Atiku, Lamido top search chart
    • PDP elders move to checkmate Wike, Fayose

    The Peoples Democra-tic Party (PDP) is under massive pressure to change its name as alliance talks intensify between it and some other parties, the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) and key political figures ahead of the 2019 elections.

    The alliance is aimed at denying President Muhammadu Buhari a second term in office.

    The participating groups say a change of name by the PDP is desirable to give everyone a sense of belonging.

    But with 13 states under its control, the former ruling party does not want merger, preferring only collaboration that will unite all opposition parties, groups and political leaders.

    Nonetheless, the PDP plans to  raise a committee soon to work out modalities for coalition with other parties and interest groups like ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s CNM.

    Some elders and governors elected on the platform of the party have also initiated moves to curb the influence of Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose on the party such that the other groups will not be scared away from working with the PDP.

    Highly placed party sources said last night that ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor Sule Lamido, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo are leading the search chart of PDP.

    The party is not relenting in wooing Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Senate President Bukola Saraki back to its fold.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) is not less busy.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s strategists  and some APC leaders are understood to  be working on  the possibility of reaching what a source called an  “accord concordiale” with some PDP governors and respected leaders of the party during the 2019 polls.

    One of the leaders that Buhari’s strategists are mounting pressure on is ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau whose return to APC is believed can whittle down the influence of Kwankwanso in Kano.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that PDP leaders are anchoring their plan to oust the APC from power on propaganda and forging a grand coalition against the ruling party.

    The coalition part of the plan has seen the party reach out to other opposition parties, the CNM and some key political figures in the six geopolitical zones who are against Buhari’s re-election.

    However, it was gathered that the PDP is finding it difficult to rally international support against Buhari, whose integrity is still being trusted by world leaders.

    The party  is counting solely on ex-President Obasanjo  to do the ‘damage’ but the one-man international campaign against the President  does not seem to be having the expected result yet.

    Findings revealed that a recurring issue in the ongoing secret talks, covert negotiation and lobbying by PDP, is the demand by affected parties, groups and leaders that it should change its name.

    Giving an insight into the development so far, one of the sources said:”These opposition parties, some leaders of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) and  some key political figures in all the six geopolitical zones are asking PDP to change its name in order to enable more Nigerians identify with it.

    “Those interested in the coalition with PDP said the party’s name has been battered because of alleged massive corruption when it was in power for 16 years. They said the electorate might not want to associate with it.

    “A few other parties do not want to lose their identities. They want a sort of merger like the case with APC.

    “In fact, Obasanjo’s CNM would have loved to identify with PDP but the hijack of the party by some governors at the last national convention foreclosed a wholesale adoption of the opposition party. The CNM would prefer a change of name by PDP for effective coalition against APC.”

    The source said the PDP has made it clear to those interested in working with it that it will not change its name or symbol.

    The party believes that any change in its identity is an easy technical way of killing it for a new set of ownership.”

    A PDP leader said: “The National Working Committee sees the demand for either merger or a change of name as a booby trap to kill PDP by some forces.

    “The timeline does not favour a change of name or merger. It is like starting afresh.

    “Why should PDP which has about 13 governors lose its name? We believe our party is in a position of strength and should be allowed to enjoy the privilege in a coalition.

    “If we go for another name, won’t they say the same people in PDP are in the new party like the case now with the Social Democratic Party?

    “You don’t change a party’s name on the basis of losing election

    “We are also suspecting that some of those who left the party are plotting to return to PDP through the backdoor. This is why they are giving this condition of change of name.”

    The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan said yesterday that the challenge before the party is “not about the name, it is a perception issue.”

    The party has no image challenge, he said when contacted.

    He added: “We would allow Nigerians to choose our candidate for 2019 presidential poll; we will not interfere with the process.

    “At the end of the day, we will ensure the emergence of a credible candidate who will accord priority to national unity and development and the reshaping of the nation’s economy.”

    PDP to raise committee to work out modalities for coalition

    In spite of the tethering challenge, it was learnt that the PDP will soon raise a committee to “work out modalities for coalition with parties and groups.”

    A member of the Board of Trustees of PDP said: “We are interested in coalition; we will soon inaugurate a committee on how to go about it, what we should offer and what we should reject.

    “So far, it is clear that unless we team up with Nigerians and groups of like minds, it will be difficult for PDP to defeat APC alone.”

    The source also confirmed that the party might still need to “do more work internally” by checkmating some of its leaders like Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose.

    “We are aware that we have internal challenge especially the overbearing influence of some leaders like Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose. They operate as if they own PDP,” he said.

    “Some elements in CNM and a few incoming coalition partners have also told us to return PDP to its democratic structure instead of allowing Wike and Fayose to be behaving as if they have the party in their pockets.

    “At a point, we will all mobilize support for the party leadership to assert itself. We know some PDP governors are equally uncomfortable with Wike and Fayose’s attitude. You will see what will happen soon. We want to win in 2019, we won’t bow to the whims and caprices of some party leaders.

    “By the time we enter into negotiation stage with groups and individuals, the overriding interest of the party will take the centre stage.”

    What party has in stock for Saraki, Tambuwal

    The source said the PDP is “ready to bend backwards for the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki if he is ready to defect to APC.”

    Saraki, according to him, has been “advised to forego his presidential ambition” and PDP “won’t mind returning him as the President of the Senate because the performance of the 8th Senate, which he is heading, has been outstanding in terms of bills already passed.

    “You can see why PDP is giving him a major backing. But we have not got any commitment from him.”

    Saraki has however not shown any sign of defection from PDP to APC in spite of the fact that the main opposition party is his major pillar of survival in the Senate.

    The source ruled out the possibility of the party giving its presidential ticket to Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State who is being actively wooed by some PDP governors.

    The source said the best the PDP can offer Tambuwal is re-election ticket as governor.

    “Except for a few governors who wanted us to woo Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from APC based on his democratic credentials, most of our leaders and governors are not keen on him because of his likely imposition by some PDP leaders,” he said.

    “We are open to Tambuwal but let him go and seek re-election as governor on the platform of PDP if he is fed up with APC.

    “Tambuwal is a presidential material for the future even though Wike will not want to hear this from our governors and leaders.”

    Search for credible presidential flag bearer intensified

    Party leaders and governors are gauging the mood of political leaders across the six geopolitical zones on a credible PDP presidential candidate.

    A member of the National Caucus of party named ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor Sule Lamido, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo as those currently topping the search chart.

    But he said Atiku has an edge on account of his “solid and enduring structure,” and a major obstacle: Ex-President Obasanjo.

    His words: “His only problem is ex-President Obasanjo who might fight him to a standstill. The alternative is for Atiku to eat his vomit and beg the ex-President.

    “We underrated Lamido until our leaders went for a rally in Jigawa during the week.

    “The rally was an eye opener that this 2019 poll is going to be tough. The performance of Dankwambo has been appreciable too. He has age and vision on his side as well.

    APC working on its own strategy

    Strategists of President Buhari and the APC are not sleeping either.

    An APC source said: “One of the windows being explored is the ongoing reconciliation being coordinated by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. We know that the President and the party would have to shift grounds to reunify some APC leaders.

    “The outcome of the reconciliation will determine many things.

    “We have also identified fluid states and tough election battlefields and how to make amends. Along the line, some PDP governors and leaders have faith in President Buhari’s aspiration for a second term and we are trying to consolidate on this.

    “It will be akin to what the famous politician, the late Chief K.O. Mbadiwe described as ‘accord concordiale.’

    “Even within the APC, some strategists have identified those who may glorify PDP by defecting to the opposition. In such states, we are working on Plan B in the light of the vote margins between PDP and APC in the affected states during the 2015 general elections.

    “One of the PDP top shots, which the APC has extended its olive branch to, is ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau (of Kano) who had always been an ally of the President until the two leaders had a political disagreement (not personal problem).

    “The strategists of the President are prevailing on Shekarau to forgive and forget. He is yet to respond to overtures from these strategists. If he does, Kano will become winnable without Kwankwanso.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We know that the headache of PDP is getting a credible candidate like President Buhari. We are awaiting their choice or any party’s choice in order to define the battle.”

     

  • Cracks among PDP Reps caucus over Sheriff, Makarfi 

    Cracks among PDP Reps caucus over Sheriff, Makarfi 

    The rank of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) House of Representatives caucus has been torn apart by the leadership crisis of the party.

    While the leader of the caucus, Minority Leader Leo Ogor, affirmed that the entire members were fully behind Ahmed Makarfi, many members of the caucus under the aegis of Concerned PDP House members, have pledged support for Sherrif.

    According to Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma (PDP, Edo) and Oni Olamide (PDP, Ekiti), the Concerned members of the caucus endorsed Sherrif and commended the reconciliatory efforts by Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson.

    While endorsing Dickson’s report and recommendations that were presented to Sherrif, the concerned members requested members of the party to work for peace.

    But Ogor said the caucus had never been in support of Sherrif. He said the Supreme Court must be allowed to make its pronouncement on the issue.

    “The caucus has always been behind Makarfi, that support has not changed. In a caucus of about 139 members, one or two dissenting voices cannot be ruled out but we are never behind Sherrif,” Ogor said.

    He said: “It is important to understand that there is a matter before the court. We want to see the truth, we believe in the judiciary and the interpretation of the situation by the Supreme Court.

    “We don’t mind political solution but since injustice to one is injustice to all, the Supreme Court must rule on it and let the truth be known.  We will meet with PDP governors over the issue as well as on the convention.

    “We have not taken any position on the convention. Dickson has not met with us and no convention will take place without our input.”

  • Cracks in Presidency over amnesty for Boko Haram

    Cracks in Presidency over amnesty for Boko Haram

    Despite President Goodluck Jonathan’s disposition to amnesty for Boko Haram, not all members of his cabinet believe in the option, it was learnt yesterday.

    Also, it was learnt that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) and the National Security Adviser, Mr. Aliyu Sambo, on Saturday fine-tuned the list of members of the Technical Committee who will work out the modalities for the amnesty.

    The work of the Technical Committee will pave the way for the inauguration of the Main Committee in two weeks time.

    Besides, the NSA is said to have met with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo for his suggestion on the security challenges facing the nation.

    Following a session of the National Security Council, the President decided to raise a panel to weigh options on amnesty for Boko Haram members.

    But investigation by our correspondent revealed that not all members of the cabinet supported the amnesty solution.

    It was learnt that some military chiefs, cabinet members and top aides prefer a military solution to the security threats posed by Boko Haram as the case in Turkey and Algeria.

    Apart from the gains recorded by the Joint Task Force in repelling Boko Haram, those opposed to amnesty indicated that security agencies had reached a stage of unmasking those behind the challenges the country is facing.

    They claimed that some of the detained Boko Haram members were already set to disclose their sponsors.

    According to sources, those opposed to amnesty are of the opinion that the political forces behind Boko Haram are just using the agitation for amnesty to secure a soft landing.

    A highly-placed source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “Some cabinet ministers do not see any reason why the government should grant amnesty to Boko Haram, in view of the casualty figures from the attacks by the sect.

    “They are also of the opinion that the amnesty bait might prove fatal for the government if Boko Haram continues with its attacks.

    “They prefer military option instead of the political solution which some people in the North are canvassing.”

    Responding to a question, the source said some of the affected cabinet members and top aides have fears that those sponsoring Boko Haram are hiding under amnesty to get a soft landing.”

    The source added: “Well, the cabinet members are suspecting that Boko Haram sponsors are looking for soft-landing.

    “In spite of the reservations of some cabinet ministers and presidential aides, Jonathan has raised a committee to weigh all options.

    “The President decided to opt for amnesty to prove that he is a listening leader and he wants to carry all the geopolitical zones along in his administration.”

    As at press time, it was gathered that the NSA and the AGF met on Saturday to fine-tune the list of members of the Technical Committee, which will work out modalities for amnesty for Boko Haram.

    Although the list of the members of the Technical Committee was kept under wraps, it was gathered that it comprises both military officers and strategic cabinet members.

    Another source in government said: “When the Technical Committee completes its assignment in two weeks, the Presidency will then constitute the main panel, which would handle the amnesty programme for Boko Haram.”

    The NSA met with Obasanjo on the security challenges facing the country.

    According to a source, Mr. Sambo Dasuki had talks with Obasanjo on the way forward for the nation.

    “I think Dasuki, acting on the instructions of the President, went to discuss with Obasanjo on government’s plans. It is likely that the NSA put Obasanjo in the picture of the amnesty plan before Jonathan conceded to it.”