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Tag: governors

  • Emulate Amaechi, el-Rufai urges governors

    Emulate Amaechi, el-Rufai urges governors

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has urged governors to emulate their Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

    The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister described as “impressive” the “stunning performance and innovations” of the Amaechi administration.

    He spoke at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, after a tour of some projects executed by the Amaechi administration, including roads, model primary schools, primary health centres and the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre.

    El-Rufai said: “Anybody coming to Rivers State to see the development projects of Amaechi will certainly make positive remarks because they have a direct impact on the people. It is right for the people to embrace such a leader, who places them first and keeps the state on the fast lane of development.

    “The visionary leadership of Amaechi is something every governor should emulate, especially his sterling qualities, to guarantee better governance for the people.

    “Amaechi is impressive and a humble servant. I have seen some model schools here that are better than some universities in this country. He is using the resources of the state well. I am proud of him. I am also proud that he is a member of our party, the APC. Every governor needs to see what he is doing to improve the people’s lives.”

    The former minister condemned “destructive criticisms” by some members of the opposition, saying Amaechi has performed impressively.

  • Three PDP governors to join APC, says Wamakko

    Three PDP governors to join APC, says Wamakko

    Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko yesterday said that three governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to join the All Progressive Congress (APC) next month.

    Two of the governors to join the opposition are from the North. The other one is from the South, he said.

    Wamakko was in Kaduna last night for  the APC Northwest caucus meeting to strategise ahead of a zonal rally slated for  Sokoto next month.

    Wamakko said: “We met here to first and foremost put a functional zonal office and other offices to fill the gap and to hold zonal rallies to kick start our party’s victory stride by 2015.

    “As I am talking to you now, three PDP governors are set to join the APC between now and the end of September. Two of the governors are from the North while the third one is from the South.”

    When asked to comment on allegations that he has an anointed candidate to take over from him, the governor said: “Only God makes leaders, I cannot tell you who will succeed me in Sokoto State.”

    On the defection of former Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) boss, Nuhu Ribadu from the APC to the PDP, he declined comments because he (Ribadu) is a man of his own who can take decisions for himself.

    Wamakko left to attend another assignment at another venue. Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Zamfara State Senator Ahmed Sani and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Bello Masari, among other APC chieftains from the Northwest zone were still meeting .

  • South-South governors, PDP leaders endorse Jonathan for 2015

    South-South governors, PDP leaders endorse Jonathan for 2015

    South-South governors and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders yesterday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for next year’s election.

    The endorsement was the high point of a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu, as part of his zonal tour of the South-South.

    The leaders in a communiqué read at the end of the meeting by the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Chibudom Nwuche, hinged their endorsement on the giant strides recorded by the Jonathan administration.

    The communiqué reads: “We acknowledge the giant strides of Mr. President in the areas of education, agriculture, health, tourism, re-invention of the railway system, roads and other infrastructural development across the country. There is also focus on economic empowerment of Nigerians.

    “In view of his (President’s) doggedness in pursuing his transformation agenda for the country, the South-South is in support of his administration. We, therefore, endorse President Jonathan for the forthcoming  presidential election so as to continue his transformation agenda, which transcends all spheres of our lives.”

    It was signed by Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.

    The leaders of the region condemned the spate of violence and insecurity in the country, which they observed was being tackled by President Jonathan.

    They pledged their “unalloyed and unwavering support for the fight against terrorism,” vowing “to be strong advocates of the unity of the country.”

    Urging Nigerians to identify with the PDP, they praised the leadership of the party led by Mu’azu.

    Others in attendance were the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dakwambo, the South-South lawmakers in the National Assembly, chairmen of the party in the six South-South states, among others.

  • Oyegun, governors for Aregbesola’s award nite

    Oyegun, governors for Aregbesola’s award nite

    National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress  (APC) Chief  John Odigie-Oyegun is to lead other prominent members of the party to Osogbo, the Osun State  capital to witness the investiture of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Chronicle’s Man of the Year  2013.

    The event will hold at the prestigious Wocdif Event Centre on August 4. According to the Publisher/ Editor in-Chief of the newspaper, Timothy Okojie-Ave, 15 APC governors are expected at the event.

    The event will be chaired by front line industrialist, Samson Makinwa.

    Other recipients are Senator Gbenga Kaka as the Best Senator for 2013; and Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Lagos State, Dr. Gloria Elemo as Best Director-General for 2013. President, Kesington Adebunkola Foundation (KAF), Sir Kesington Adebutu will receive Life time achievement award.

  • Mark, governors, Saraki condole with El-Rufai on son’s death

    Mark, governors, Saraki condole with El-Rufai on son’s death

    Senate President David Mark yesterday commiserated with former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and his family on the death of his son, Hamza, in an auto crash in Abuja.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media, Kola Ologbondiyan, the Senate President said he received the news of Hamza’s death with shock and pains.

    Mark said the deceased had a bright future and vision, which would have been needed to contribute to the socio-economic and political development of Nigeria.

    He said: “It is sad that a promising Hamza, with a very bright future ahead, died in his prime. We cannot question the will of the All-Knowing Almighty creator. We can only pray that Almighty Allah grant him eternal rest and give the immediate family the fortitude to bear this loss.”

    Mark implored the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that death is a necessary end that must come to every mortal.

    He urged the family to strengthen their faith with Almighty God, adding: “This is one of the challenges and mysteries of our existence as humans because nobody knows the time and the date death would come.”

    Also, Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and the senator representing Kwara Central, Dr Olusola Saraki, have commiserated with Mallam El-Rufai, on the death of Hamza.

    The governors expressed sadness over the young El-Rufai’s death and prayed God to strengthen the bereaved family.

    Through a statement yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor sent his “heartfelt condolences” to the chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the death of his son in an auto crash last Tuesday in Abuja.

    The statement said: “The news of the untimely death of the young El-Rufai in a motor accident while in Nigeria on holiday from his base in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he was a student, came to the governor as a rude shock and, to say the least, most unfortunate.

    “Okorocha asked the APC chieftain to look at what happened from the angle that if God did not want it to happen, it would not have happened.

    “The Imo governor prayed that God should grant Hamza El-Rufai eternal rest. He also prayed God to grant the father and the entire El-Rufai family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

    Fashola expressed deep shock at the incident.

    In a condolence message to the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, the governor said Hamza’s death is painful, especially when considered that he was a young man with a promising future.

    He added that the death was also saddening and regrettable because Hamza was poised to contribute to the development of his fatherland after concluding his education.

    In a statement yesterday in Ikeja, by his Specail Adviser on Media, Mr Hakeem Bello, the governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed.

    Fashola urged Mallam El-Rufai to take solace in the words of the Holy Qur’an that Allah gives and takes away.

    He also prayed Almighty Allah to grant the former minister and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Ahmed, in a statement yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, described Hamza’s death as painful, unfortunate and shocking.

    The governor noted that Hamza was a young man with huge potentials to contribute to national development.

    He prayed God to grant the El-Rufai family the fortitude to bear the impact of the death and the deceased eternal rest.

    Saraki expressed shock over Hamza’s death.

    In a statement yesterday, the senator said he was saddened about the death of the young El-Rufai.

    He said: “My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time as they struggle through this period of shock and grief.

    “I pray that Almighty Allah will grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus. I also pray that Allah grants the family the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss during this difficult time. May the love of those around them help the family through the days ahead.”

  • APC governors: hold Jonathan responsible for attempt on Buhari

    APC governors: hold Jonathan responsible for attempt on Buhari

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, under the aegis of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan should be held responsible for the attempt on the life of one of its national leaders and former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari.

    The governors, in a statement titled: PGF Condemns Attempt on Buhari, Holds Jonathan Responsible, noted that the incident happened two days after Gen. Buhari urged Jonathan to stop waging war on Nigerians but to devote more time to the war on terrorism.

    The governors condemned the attack, adding that “the double bomb explosions in Kaduna, the loss of innocent lives and what was clearly an attempt to assassinate former Head of State and leader of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari”, were not coincidences.

    The PGF restated General Buhari’s statement to President Jonathan that it is unwise and against the spirit of social democracy that many innocent people were being killed in the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) quest to demobilise the APC and retain power at all cost.

    The governors said the Federal Government had failed in its fundamental responsibility of providing security for Nigerians, yet accusing the opposition in order to shift the blame for the low-intensity war going on in parts of the country.

    The statement reads: “Particularly worrisome is the statement credited to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, that soldiers were deserting the Army for fear of Boko Haram. Our question is: what happened to the vast sums of money devoted to security and defence in the last four years of the Jonathan presidency? Is the desertion of soldiers linked to the theft of money meant for military equipment?

    “We call on the Federal Government to take urgent and radial steps to investigate the assassination attempt and make its finding public. In the meantime, we urge President Jonathan to manage his obsession with power and work for the citizens of this country.

    “It is a great shame that Nigeria, under President Jonathan, has become the most dangerous place in the world in terms of deadly terrorist attacks. While we rejoice with General Buhari and others who narrowly escaped death, we commiserate with the families who have lost loved ones in the explosions and other attacks across the country – whether by terrorists or nameless, faceless assassins.”

  • When governors crack jokes

    When governors crack jokes

    Friendly smiles or “farewell” salutation? This is a poser that may come to the mind on seeing this photograph (left). For someone not conversant with political developments in the country, the picture will most likely just be interpreted as five friends greeting one another.

    The laughter appears infectious. They all carry on as though all is well. Murtala Nyako. Emmanuel Uduaghan. Theodore Orji. Godswill Akpabio. And Babangida Aliyu. The scene was the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where these governors of Adamawa, Delta, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Niger states were part of the National Council of State meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.  Aside Nyako, the others are of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Nyako is of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – the main opposition party.

    Nyako was the centre of attention when he entered the council chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja around 10:55 a.m. before the commencement of the  meeting.

    Nyako, the man who was in high enough spirits to give bespectacled Uduaghan a high five, is embattled at home in Adamawa. Members of the House of Assembly, who unlike him mostly are of the PDP, have started the process of ending his second term before it is due next year. Nyako, as empowered by law, declared a public holiday on Monday and Tuesday, but this meant nothing to the lawmakers and the Acting Chief Judge who inaugurated a panel to investigate allegations against the governor.

    That was not the first illegality that has been done in the plot to remove Nyako, which sources believe is the agenda of the PDP, the party of the men laughing with the Adamawa helmsman in this picture. By law, the lawmakers were supposed to serve the notice on the governor, personally. This process was practically skipped.

    So, what were the PDP men telling the only stranger in their midst? Were they bidding him farewell, given the belief that their party – and The Presidency, some insist – had perfected the plot to get him out for good? Part of his sins is that he made uncomplimentary remarks about President Goodluck Jonathan and defected to the APC. Aliyu and Nyako used to share the same company, when it came to being openly critical of the president.    Aliyu, who likes being addressed as Niger State’s Chief Servant instead of His Excellency, even accused Dr. Jonathan of breaking a gentleman ’s agreement that he was going to serve a single term of four years. The Niger helmsman and the five PDP governors who defected to the APC were in the same camp and still belong to the Governor Rotimi Amaechi faction of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), as against Plateau Governor Jonah Jang’s faction, which has the Presidency’s backing.

    Aliyu, who was never tired of accusing the PDP leadership of perpetrating illegality, like it has done again in Adamawa, has simmered down of late. He seems to have made up with Jonathan and is enjoying the PDP, which months back, he severely tongued lashed.

    Akpabio, who is also laughing in the picture, belongs to the Jang NGF and also chairs PDP Governors’ Forum that was hurriedly cobbled together when it became clear that governors would chose their own leaders. Uduaghan, was the “Returning Officer” in the election which made Amaechi NGF chair.

    The picture is sure pregnant with meaning. Will Nyako be around to attend the next Council of State meeting and have the opportunity to laugh with these men whose party seems to have sealed his fate? Time will tell.

     

  • Jonathan, Tinubu, governors mourn Arisekola-Alao

    Jonathan, Tinubu, governors mourn Arisekola-Alao

    President Goodluck Jonathan, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Southwest governors have mourned the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao, who died yesterday. He was 69.

    Jonathan said he received with “great shock and sadness” the news of Arisekola-Alao’s death.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati, reads: “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the Arisekola-Alao family, as well as the people of Ibadan and Oyo State, on the passing away of the famed Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.

    “As they mourn the famous entrepreneur, community and religious leader, President Jonathan urges his family, relatives, friends, associates and dependants to be comforted by the fact that Arisekola-Alao lived a fulfilled life and leaves behind a legacy of significant and commendable achievements.

    “The President notes that Alhaji Arisekola-Alao will always be remembered and honoured, especially for the remarkable entrepreneurial skills with which he established many successful businesses and created jobs for numerous Nigerians, as well as for his religious leadership and philanthropic gestures.”

    Tinubu said the late Arisekola-Alao’s greatness will continue even in death.

    Describing his demise as “sorrowful and shocking”, the former Lagos State governor said: “That such a great man, who still had so much to offer his people and country, could die so suddenly is painful and a huge loss. His death has left a great vacuum in the religious and socio-political spheres. He will be missed.

    “I condole with his family, the Muslim Umah and the government and people of Oyo State. His unexpected departure has left us all in some sort of a quandary because he was one of a kind, rare and specially gifted.  He touched the lives of ordinary and great people and lived a life of service. He will be difficult to replace.

    “He will remain some sort of a legend because he took on great challenges and left a legacy of service. His greatness is in the service he rendered his immediate community and his staying power was his wisdom and open mindedness to work with others to find solutions to problems. He was a great man who lived a great life. May his soul rest in peace.”

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi described Arisekola-Alao’s death as “tragic, disheartening and a big blow”, to Oyo and Nigeria.

    In a statement by his media aide, Dr. Festus Adedayo, Ajimobi said: “Aare cannot die, as those who lived the kind of life he lived, with imprints in the lives of millions of people, never die. He lived a life that was devoted to the lives of others. It is indeed the end of an era for us in Ibadan and Nigeria in general.”

    Ajimobi described the late Arisekola-Alao as “a devout Muslim, shrewd businessman and a philanthropist”, whose commitment to the cause of the downtrodden in the society was unequalled.

    He said: “Uncle Arisekola-Alao was an upright, consistent and principled man. He called a spade by its name without minding whose ox was gored. He was also a pillar of support to our administration. His wise counsel helped tremendously in the success so far recorded by our government.” Although he said the religious leader’s death was painful and the vacuum created by his passage would be hard to fill, the governor, said the late Arisekola-Alao lived a fulfilled life.

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, in a statement by his media aide, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama, said: “It is unfortunate that Arisekola-Alao died at a time a lot of Muslims would have benefited from his generosity, but Almighty Allah knows best.”

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director of Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said Arisekola-Alao’s death reinforces the essence of mankind’s existence, “which is to lead a good life and render service to humanity”.

    The statement reads: “His death is sad, shocking and unfortunate. He led a good life, a life full of positive examples. Arisekola-Alao was a notable figure, successful businessman, a consistent philanthropist and community leader.

    “As the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, he demonstrated his love for peace as a religious leader and led a God-fearing life. On behalf of my family and the people of Osun State, I convey our heart-felt condolences to the immediate and extended family of the later business doyen, Ajimobi, the entire Muslim Ummah and the people of Oyo State. May the soul of the deceased be admitted into Aljana Firdaus.”

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko described Arisekola-Alao’s passing as “shocking and a great loss to the nation”.

    In a condolence message by his Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, Mimiko said the death of the deputy head of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, was “most unfortunate and a loss irreparable”.

    He said: “No doubt, Aare Arisekola-Alao is still needed around and would be sorely missed by all for his spiritual and fatherly role.”

    Mimiko said the businessman “lived an exemplary life and was a blessing to his generation as he made his mark in leadership, service to God and humanity”.

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola said the late Arisekola-Alao would be sorely missed by all for his “widely acknowledged philanthropy, statesmanship and entrepreneurial leadership”.

    Condoling with the government and people of Oyo State, Fashola said the indelible marks left by the late Arisekola-Alao in commerce and industry, as well as the economic development of the Southwest and Nigeria, would never be forgotten.

    He urged the late businessman’s family, friends and associates to take solace in his good deeds and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the departed Aljanah Firdaus.

  • Jonathan, governors and Boko Haram

    Jonathan, governors and Boko Haram

    With the deployment of more bomber jets, equipment and troops to the stronghold of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states mid last year, it was expected that the deadly attackers would have been eradicated by now.

    Also the news last year that the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau sustained fatal gunshot injuries during gun battle with the Nigerian troops and later died gave Nigerians a false hope that Boko Haram and other terrorists’ acts will soon be a thing of the past.

    Even after changing the Service Chiefs early this year, President Goodluck Jonathan had insistently promised that the tempo against terror will change and the menace would be brought to an end.

    When Air Marshal Alex Badeh took over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim in January as the new Chief of Defence Staff, he initially declared that the issue of Boko Haram and other acts of terrorism will come to an end before April this year. He later denied the statement.

    But now, we are more than half way into the month of April and it seems as if the insurgency is on the rise.

    Boko Haram and other terrorist groups that appeared to have been restricted to the Northeast of the country for several months, struck Monday last week at a bus park in Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    While official deaths from the attack alone have been put at 75, many eye-witnesses and early arrivals at the scene of the bomb blast maintained that over 300 persons must have died from the attack.

    Just as Nigerians and the international community were still mourning over the latest bomb attack in Abuja, news filtered on the same day in the night that over 100 secondary school girls have been abducted by the insurgents in Borno State.

    With the latest attacks, some Nigerians have observed that the insurgency is on the rise because the government is not adopting the right approaches to the issues and that past recommendations, including those of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, headed by Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Kabiru Turaki, were not implemented.

    Other observers have also faulted the government for its inability to unmask the sponsors and financiers of the insurgency over the years despite making arrests of key members of Boko Haram and other groups.

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, who has majorly been at the receiving end of the attacks, had recently declared that the insurgents are better equipped and well-motivated to carry out the evil attacks than the Nigerian troops. But the Federal Government refuted his claims.

    A more worrisome development was the initial statement last week by the Defence Headquarters that only eight out of the 129 reportedly abducted school girls have not been rescued. The statement was later countered by the same Defence Headquarters.

    The school community in Borno State had, at the weekend, claimed that only about 14 of the school girls escaped from their abductors and those others are still missing.

    This calls to question the quality of information being passed to the President by the security agencies.

    Another grave allegation with a tendency to work against Nigeria’s success over the insurgents is the claim that some key military men in the Nigerian troop are working hand-in-hand with the insurgents.

    Worried by the upsurge of the insurgency, not only was the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting last week mainly devoted to the attacks last week, President Jonathan also summoned state governors and the National Security Council for a meeting in Abuja over the security challenges.

    The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, at the end of FEC meeting last week, maintained that Nigeria is currently faced with one of the worst forms of terrorism across the globe.

    Also speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the security meeting between Jonathan, governors and service chiefs, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio said: “Mr. President graciously listened to us and he said since it is a national issue, we must have all the 36 governors in attendance.

    “So, I believe strongly notice will be going out and all governors will be meeting with Mr. President and service chiefs Wednesday next week so we can sit and discuss and proffer solutions to the current insecurity in the country. I believe it will come to an end.

    “We must face the situation and it is not something we can politicise, you don’t politicise security. All hands must be on deck. The entire country, every single Nigerian must contribute his or her quota towards bringing the current situation to an end.

    “I believe that if you are not a soldier, you can also be an informant. And, of course, you know that this thing is becoming like an HIV. If you are not infected, you are affected. Your children are also involved, your grand children and relations. If people are now attacking schools to disrupt the lives of children, how will you not be concerned? A market woman is affected when motor parks are being bombed. So, there is no way any governor in Nigeria will not be concerned and will not show interest.

    “In bringing this situation to an end, all Nigerians must know that we must be our brother’s keepers as far as security is concern,” he said.

    With Jonathan’s next security meeting with state governors fixed for tomorrow and other new strategies to be adopted, it is hoped that the ongoing killings will be stopped and total peace and harmony restored to the country.

  • 2015: Governors give PDP, Jonathan three conditions

    2015: Governors give PDP, Jonathan three conditions

    Protest votes threat rocks ruling party over automatic tickets, others

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have given three conditions to back President Goodluck Jonathan’s yet-unannounced re-election bid.

    The conditions are:

    •allowing outgoing governors to choose their successors;

    •automatic second term tickets for those running first term in office; and

    •automatic senatorial seats for governors aspiring to be in the Senate.

    Although Jonathan is set to emerge the sole presidential candidate of the PDP, all is not well within the party on how to meet the demands of the governors, a source told The Nation.

    Some of the governors are threatening protest votes in their states if they are not allowed to have their way.

    PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu is said to be battling to manage the situation.

    Muazu, who is opposed to automatic tickets, has to devise means of accommodating the agitation of the governors, a source said.

    Of the 36 states, PDP has 18 governors. APC has 16 governors. APGA and Labour Party have one apiece.

    Some of the governors believed to have senatorial ambition in 2015 or being prevailed upon to go to the upper chamber are Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Theodore Orji (Abia); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) ; Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Martins Elechi (Ebonyi); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Babangida Aliyu(Niger); Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi); Jonah Jang(Plateau); and Isa Yuguda(Bauchi)

    Those seeking second term are Henry Seriake Dickson(Bayelsa); Ramalan Yero(Kaduna); Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe); Idris Wada( Kogi)- when due; Acting Governor Garba Umar ( Taraba);

    There has been disquiet in the party on the demands of the governors.

    A governor said: “All the governors are united in their demands to have a say on who will succeed them and second term tickets for their colleagues who still have the opportunity of another term in office.

    “They said if the President can enjoy automatic second term ticket, it should spread across the board.

    “The party is thinking that such a development will shut out other good hands in the party.

    “But most of us do not buy into that argument at all. We believe whatever is sauce for the goose ought to be sauce for the gander.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “The likelihood of realignment of forces and protest votes cannot be ruled out.”

    Another governor said there was no way the party would not make concessions to allow the second term ticket of the President to sail through.

    “The PDP leadership may say there is no automatic ticket but there will certainly be negotiations to make certain things to work. Mark my words, the PDP governors cannot allow Jonathan to have his way without anything in return. This is politics,” said the governor, who requested not to be named.

    “We are back to the 2003 era when ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted the second term ticket. Governors want to be politically relevant after leaving office and fairness demands some concessions.

    “We have been making our demands known to the party. We hope it will accommodate these agitations to keep the party intact for 2015 poll.”

    The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, was unavailable last night. His mobile lines were switched off.

    But the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu had on January 28 declared at the National Assembly that there would be no automatic tickets for members seeking offices in 2015.

    Muazu spoke at a session with PDP members in the National Assembly.

    At the meeting were Uduaghan, Imoke, Shema, Yero, Aliyu and Orji.

    Muazu said automatic tickets were only given by parties that were undemocratic.

    “We have a democratic process and we will go through that; those that deserve it will surely get it,” he said.

    Muazu stressed that he inherited no records of any promise made by the immediate past national chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, of giving automatic ticket to any member.

    A member of the NWC, who spoke last night, said: “Neither Muazu nor PDP has changed its position; there will be no automatic ticket for any member in 2015.

    “I can tell you that our position against automatic ticket has not changed.”