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Challenges before Mu’azu

Former Bauchi State Governor Adamu Mu’azu has replaced Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the challenges that will confront the new helmsman.

Many challenges will confront the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.

The politician was the governor of Bauchi State from 1999 to 2007. At that time, President Goodluck Jonathan was the deputy governor, and later, governor of Bayelsa State.

Mu’azu was popular among his people because of his laudable achievements. But, his popularity rating dropped towards the end of his second term. During the senatorial election, he was defeated by Senator Bala Mohammed, the candidate of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), who is now the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Some PDP big wigs jostled for the chairmanship. But, Mu’azu was lucky enough to clinch the office. Analysts opined that Mu’azu is reaping the fruits of his good relations with President Jonathan. He is a dependable ally of the Commander-in-Chief.

During the political turmoil in Bayelsa State that led to the impeachment of former Governor Dieprieye Alamesheigha, Mu’azu had endeared himself to Dr. Jonathan. While the members of the House of Assembly stood their ground against President Obasanjo’s directive that they should initiate impeachment proceedings against Alamesheigha, there was confusion in the state. Dr. Jonathan, the deputy governor, was in a dilemma. He wanted to maintain his loyalty to his boss. He did not want the public to perceive him as an ambitious person. Jonathan was under pressures from the lawmakers and the Presidency. So, he had to play safe.

When Bayelsa State became too hot for Dr. Jonathan, he temporarily relocated to Bauchi. Mu’azu was his host. He did not leave the state, until normalcy returned to Bayelsa State. That followed the impeachment of Alameyeseigha. Thus, it was pay time for Mu’azu. Sources said that the President recalled that difficult time when he sought refuge under Mu’azu. They also point out that the former Bauchi State governor is a key supporter of his second term ambition. Therefore, the President believes that he will be loyal like his predecessor, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

President Jonathan had encouraged Mu’azu to return home from exile in 2010. In July, 2008, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused him of mismanaging N19.8 billion when he was the governor. He was asked to report to the commission’s headquarters for questioning. Before the expiration of the EFCC’s deadline, Mu’azu fled the country. He relocated to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. It was widely speculated that top government functionaries facilitated his return to the country.

The safe landing offered to him by the government encouraged him to challenge the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Isa Yuguda to investigate the management of funds in ministries and parastatals during his administration in court. In its report, the commission indicted Mu’azu for embezzling N2 billion. Consequently, Bauchi State government, in its white paper, banned Mu’azu from holding public office for 10 years.

After protracted adjournments, the Bauchi State High Court presided over by Chief Justice Mohammed Ibrahim Zango cleared Mu’azu ofthe allegation. The court ruled that the white paper cannot stand. The judge further declared that all forms of indictment in the panel’s recommendations and government’s position were null and void.

The judgment was a big relief to Mu’azu. Sources said that he later reconciled with the governor, Isa Yuguda. Both became allies of the President.

Analysts beleive that the defeat suffered by Muazu at the senatorial poll in 2007 could be attributed to the feud between him and Yuguda. The friction came into open when the PDP denied Yuguda the governorship. The duo parted ways and Yuguda decided to contest the governorship election on the platform of the ANPP. He defeated the PDP candidate and the former Secretary to the Government, Umar Nadada, who was sponsored by Muazu.

Now that Mu’azu has assumed the leadership of the PDP, would he take over the party structure in his home state as his predecessor, Bamanga Tukur, did in Adamawa State? Will he concentrate on his job in Abuja without interfering in the state chapters?

Public Affairs analyst Bernard Briggs is of the view that Muazu would fight back and use his new position to take over the party machinery in Bauchi State. He said that, unless the differences between the duo are resolved amicably, Bauchi may become the new battle ground between the chairman and the governor.

Briggs said that Yuguda, who is serving his last term in office, will be interested in who succeeds him. “He will do all that is possible to ensure that someone he can trust occupies the seat in 2015 because he would try to avoid the experience of his predecessor. For Mu’azu, he will want to prove to be a leader with a home base. As the national leader of the party, he’s in a position to influence the choice of the PDP governorship candidates in many states, including his home state”, he explained.

The crisis rocking the party, which culminated in the defection of PDP of five governors to the All Progressive Congress (APC), has not abated, in spite of Tukur’s. There are puzzles: how will the new chairman restore confidence in the party? Can he do away with arbitrariness, disrespect for the party’s constitution and the rule of law that have become the hallmark of the PDP?

Will Mu’azu be able to tame powerful forces that would encourage the ‘business as usual’ mentality? Can Mu’azu withstand the evil plots of those who are bent on hijacking the party structure, ahead of the 2015 general elections? Would he be able to assert himself as the chairman, and not as an appendage of the Presidency, in view of the close ties between him and Dr Jonathan?

Muazu has come as a leader at a time his region is pushing for power shift. Will he go against the wish of the North or support the President for a second term?

The new chairman is expected to reach out to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is still perceived as a factor in the Southwest. How he will also manage the crisis triggered by the suspension of the National Secretary, Gen. Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is another challenge. The court has ruled that the former Osun State governor is the authentic National Secretary.

A chieftain of the PDP, Chief Ishola Filani, described Muazu as the best replacement for Tukur. The former PDP leader in the Southwest zone told our correspondent that Muazu would be an asset to the party.

Filani said: “I know him as a very brilliant person. Under him as two-term governor, Bauchi State witnessed rapid development. With his background and antecedent, the new chairman would move the party forward. With his experience, he’s going to be an asset to the party. As an elite from the North, he should be able to understand the politics of the North and use his experience to the advantage of the PDP.

“He would mend fences. He has promised to do a lot to improve the fortunes of the party. Everything is working for him. He will reposition the party and come up with solutions to the problems facing the party.

“The party leadership knew his worth before he was picked for the job. If he has not been so adjudged, he would not have been appointed. We will keep praying for him so that he would accomplish his set objectives.”

Ogun State PDP Chairman Chief Bayo Dayo was optimistic that Mu’azu would restore peace and take the party to a higher level. He described Mu’azu as a gentle man, tested leader and a silent achiever, adding that the new chairman would make a difference. “With the support of the President and members of the National Working Committee (NWC), stability would be restored in the PDP very soon”, he added.

But, a political scientist, Malam Yusuf Zayyad, urged the PDP chieftains not to delude themselves into believing that the problems of the PDP will end with the exit of Tukur. cautioned the PDP against believing that with the removal of Tukur the problems of the party are over. He emphasised that the problem of the party is beyond the former chairman. “He is not responsible for the culture of impunity that the party is known for,” he added.

Zayyard said that the ruling party should to purge itself of disrespect for the rule of law and allow internal democracy to reign. He reminded Mu’azu that the exalted office is full of banana peel, adding that none of his predecessors had come out of the office without stain. The political scientist advised him to tread softly because, according to him, the mischief makers are still around.

Zayyard submitted that the protrated crisis in the PDP cannot be resolved in a twinkle of an eye. He said the crisis may assume a new dimension when the stage is set for the nomination of candidates for the 2015 general elections.

However, Zayyard said that the leadership qualities of Mu’azu will soon be put to test. The first challenge, he pointed out, is that of reconciling the aggrieved party chieftains, who are spoiling for war.

Besides, he is expected to carry along his rivals during the recent chairmanship contest. Will he extend the olive branch to them or adopt the attitude of winners-take-all?

“If he relates with them positively, those who lost out would put the contest behind them and they would be willing to join hands to make his tenure a success. But, if he treats them as inconsequential elements, that will mark the beginning of his problem”, he added.

January 22, 2014
Mu’azu will unite PDP, say Tukur, Abba Aji

The erstwhile National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly, Senator Mohammed Abba Aji, have expressed the confidence that the new party chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, will unite the dissenting groups within the party.

In a statement he issued on Tuesday, Tukur said Mu’azu’s emergence as party chairman was a clear manifestation of his unique leadership qualities, visionary and purposeful disposition as well as his immeasurable contributions to the growth of the PDP.

He said, “This new appointment is a call to serve your fatherland, which bestows great responsibility on your shoulders.

“I am confident that you will not only discharge your duties effectively, but will leave an indelible mark in the area of rebuilding the party in line with the transformation agenda of Mr. President.

“It is my sincere prayer that the Almighty Allah will endow you with wisdom to bring these positive and result-oriented qualities to bear as you assume the leadership of our great party.”

In a separate statement, Abba Aji described Mu’azu as a team player and insightful personality, stressing that the new party chairman was a natural choice for the job.

He added that with Mu’azu in charge, the PDP will witness a phenomenal turn around from its dwindling fortunes, saying that a good number of party chieftains who defected to the opposition will be glad to come back.

January 21, 2014
Mu’azu takes over as PDP chairman

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu began his job on a comical note yesterday. He described the party’s debilitating crisis as a “storm in a tea cup”.

In his acceptance speech shortly after he was unveiled as the new party chair, Muazu said with his selection, the PDP had proven to the world that it had discovered an instant cure for what looked like a terminal disease afflicting the party.

In another breath, however, Mu’azu admitted that all is not well with the ruling party, adding that any political party of the size of the PDP is bound to face challenges from time to time.

Said he: “I have helplessly watched the dwindling fortunes of our party from 2003 to date. From controlling a record 28 states in 1999 to 23 states currently.

“This situation is unacceptable and must change. I do not claim to have the monopoly of wisdom to turn around the dwindling fortunes of the PDP. The party will regain its lost glory in record time and remain the toast of the Nigerian people once again.

“In this connection, in the coming weeks and months, we will engage in sweeping reforms in the administration of the party to bring it in tandem with global best practices.

“We will do everything possible to ensure the supremacy of the party under my chairmanship. In this connection, I will plead and appeal to the executive governors who have tremendous roles to play to join hands with me in ensuring the actualisation of the supremacy of the party.

“The supremacy of the party will guarantee internal party discipline, credibility and electoral victories. We, therefore, cannot compromise on these.”

Mu’azu’s emergence followed a motion moved by Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda. Yuguda succeeded Mu’azu as governor in 2007, after his two-term tenure of eight years.

The motion was seconded by Senate Majority Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, consequent upon which the meeting unanimously approved Mu’azu’s selection.

Yuguda, who, however, admitted that there was indeed friction between him and Mu’azu, said they had since resolved their differences, being friends from childhood.

He described Muazu as a “very intelligent, healthy and strong young man” who has what it takes to reposition the party and resolve its lingering crisis.

“We know what is between us. I want to assure everyone here that Muazu is my friend and brother,” Yuguda said.

Former presidential Adviser on National Assembly Senator Mohammed Abba Aji, who contested the position with Muazu, was the first to congratulate the chair.

President Goodluck Jonathan praised the PDP NEC members and leaders for the maturity exhibited in resolving the party’s leadership crisis.

He described all the contestants for the chairmanship as eminently qualified for the job, but that “Muazu had additional unique attributes that stood him out”

Jonathan said to Muazu: “You are the best that will handle PDP for now. You are someone that will build bridges and not just be fighting.”

He urged the chairman to ensure he worked in harmony with all stakeholders.

The NEC meeting witnessed the largest turnout of PDP party chieftains in recent times.

At the meeting were the leadership of the National Assembly, governors elected on the platform of the PDP, former governors, past party chairmen, BoT members, among others.

January 21, 2014
Muazu… Journey from exile to ‘power’

Unknown to many, yesterday’s choice of ex-Governor Adamu Mu’azu of Bauchi State as the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came with many milestones. He is the third former governor to occupy the seat. Besides, the appointment marked the final phase of the return of Mu’azu from exile to power. It is also a major redemption for Mu’azu, who became a political outcast in his state at a particular period.

Shortly after the defeat of PDP in 2007 by the incumbent Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP), the political terrain was too hot for Mu’azu who had to go on a ‘self-imposed’ exile. He was living a make-shift life and shuttling between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates(Dubai) because the ballot/ mass revolt in Bauchi which brought Yuguda to power was a urricane which neither the PDP nor the influential Mu’azu could curtail. He lost all to political challenges in his Bauchi domain; friends turned into foes; his achievements were downplayed or rubbished; and he remained loyal only to himself.

For three years, Mu’azu hibernated abroad to watch political events from the sidelines. He did not return to Nigeria until September 28, 2010. Although his entry through Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard a Lufthansa flight was not triumphal, Mu’azu was welcomed by some of his loyal friends and associates, including a former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed; Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso; a member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Kaulaha Aliyu, some Senators, members of the House of Representatives and members of the Bauchi House of Assembly.

In the last three and a half years, he could not regain his political rhythm in Bauchi State because his arch-rival, Yuguda had defected to PDP too. To seal the hope of Mua’zu regaining his grip on PDP in Bauchi State, Yuguda, in a deft political move, married one of the daughters of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Yet, it was not an easy ride for Yuguda as the PDP split into many groups in Bauchi State. There were those loyal to ex-Minister of Defence Mahmood Yayale Ahmed; those backing Alhaji Garba Muhammad Noma, a businessman, with his supporters and a host of other party stalwarts all in the PDP; and those branded as ‘PDP Dubai’, who were (and are) still loyal to Mu’azu. It was in this cloudy atmosphere in Bauchi State that Mua’zu came back to Nigeria leaving the terrain slippery.

Muazu’s comfort zone since his coming back was however the Presidential Villa where he could easily be located at dinner table with his friend, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was instrumental to his return from exile. No day is complete at the Villa without the presence of Muazu, who has become a member of the First Family. There had been a recurring issue in the Villa on how to rehabilitate Mua’zu.

HOW DID HE BECOME PDP NATIONAL CHAIR

For Mu’azu, who was inaugurated last week as the Chairman of the National Pension Commission(PENCOM), the National Chairman of PDP was the least on his mind because he had attempted to lead the party in 2012 Bamanga Tukur was anointed for the seat. He had decided to move forward to salvage what was left of his political leverage. Though touted and recommended by many, Mu’azu later became a forerunner in the race with 15 others, including his friends. The others were the Chairman of TETFUND, Musa Babayo; ex-Minister of Commerce, Idris Waziri; the incumbent Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; a former National Chairman of NDP, Habu Fari; a former member of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Wakil; a former Minister of Defence, Shettima Mustapha; a former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Dr. Hassan Adamu; a former National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Prof. Rufai Alkali; Ibrahim Bunu; a former Local Government Chairman in Yobe State,

Hassan Kafayus and a former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong.

Five reasons accounted for the choice of Mu’azu as National Chairman. According to sources, the personal confidence which Jonathan has in Mua’zu appeared to be the last joker which made the PDP governors to change their minds to zone the office to either Borno or Yobe states. It was gathered that the President had been claiming that Mua’zu did him a ‘favour’ which he would never forget. Jonathan, who has refused to disclose the gesture to anyone, was said to have kept his game plan to his chest until Sunday night at the Presidential Villa. A source said: “The President has been saying that Mua’zu is trustworthy, reliable and a man who keeps faith with his words. We do not know what Mua’zu did to earn his confidence. I think while as governors, their path crossed on a matter and the support from Mua’zu dazed Jonathan. ” It was however gathered that the President believes that a known friend is better than the unknown.

A member of the National Working Committee of the PDP attributed the emergence of Mua’zu to his ‘sterling qualities.’ He said: “Mua’zu is a bridge-builder, a leader who relates with Jonathan, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the aggrieved governors, the incumbent governors, and other stakeholders. Despite the fact that he was persecuted, he harbours no grudge against Governor Isa Yuguda. One unique thing about him is his reconciliatory spirit. We need this kind of spirit now to survive as a party.”

It was also learnt that Mua’zu’s pedigree as a former governor would enable him to relate with all the organs of the party and earn their confidence on party matters. A PDP leader said: “He is leading the party with a rich experience of being a former member of NEC, National Caucus, BOT, and a man who knows the politics of the National Working Committee in and out.”

Fourthly, investigation revealed that the PDP had problem with some of its chairmen in the past because they came in as spent forces or hungry men. Mua’zu was said to have a’contentment’ credential which would not make him to run after money or be a slave to monetary baits or gifts from the power brokers in the party.

The task of

redeeming PDP

Having been conversant with the politics of PDP since 1999, the party leaders have set some targets for PDP including bringing back Obasanjo to the party, negotiating with aggrieved governors, winning the North-East for PDP, and creating a sense of belonging for the founding fathers and the young elements. Another source in PDP said: “Mua’zu is a loyalist of Obasanjo who can resolve the misunderstanding between the former President and President Jonathan.”

THE CHALLENGES AHEAD

In a January 9, 2013 to the President, the G-84 members in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) foresaw the exit of Tukur by declaring that party was stinking. The G-84 comprises some members of the National Working Committee (NWC), 24 ex-officio, 37 state chairmen of PDP and some former leaders of the party. The letter summarizes the challenges before Mua’zu. They highlighted the problems with PDP as follows:

• breach of PDP constitution by not holding National Executive Committee(NEC) meeting

•wrongful and consistent misinterpretation of PDP constitution.

•Lack of democratic culture in the party

•Arbitrary suspension of governors and members

•management of the party in a cultish nature

•exclusion of elected party officers by NWC from decision-making process

•Wasting of party resources on personal events, functions, and chartering of aircraft

•Fixing of wages and allowances by NWC members to the detriment of other elected officers

•Arbitrary sharing of honourarium both in cash and kind.

•Holding party /NWC meetings at personal residence instead of PDP Secretariat

•Running a parallel NWC to take decisions on critical party matters with only his aides

A source said: “We are unhappy with consistent misinterpretation of PDP constitution. The suspension of some governors, the sack of the National Secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and some national officers of the party like the National Vice-Chairman, North-East, Senator Girigiri Lawal by the NWC was done in line with Article 29 Section 2(b) but without adequate reference to Article 57. The NWC has been arrogating to itself the power it does not have.

“At least due process was not followed in exercising disciplinary action against some of our leaders. It means the NWC can wake up one day to suspend either the President or Vice-President. This same attitude made the NWC to revolt against Tukur on January 11, 2013 and early 2014.

“We also noticed consistent breach of party’s constitution by not holding NEC meeting. Article 31, Section 4 of the party’s constitution says that ‘NEC shall meet at least once per quarter.’ The last NEC meeting was forced on Tukur.

“These breaches and grievances accounted for the delay in convening NEC meeting because members are angry. People talk of Tukur being afraid of the PDP governors as the main reason for not summoning NEC.”

THE MORAL BURDEN ON JONATHAN, MU’AZU

Barely a few hours after his anointing, there were issues around the choice of Mu’azu bordering on his tenure as the governor of Bauchi State, alleged indictment by the Bauchi State Government and ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). A quiet and unassuming person, Mua’zu is running into storm early in the day with his moral pedigree like some of his predecessors. He has come into office with allegations of corruption which he needs to clarify for a smooth sail. The earlier Mua’zu comes clean, the better because the PDP has a culture of waiting for a slip from any incumbent chairman before raking up ‘dirty’ issues.

Governor Isa Yuguda had raised a seven-man panel of inquiry, headed by, Justice Bitrus Sanga, to probe Mua’zu’s tenure. The commission claimed that over N20.4 billion was misappropriated during the eight-year administration of Mu’azu and recommended that the amount be recovered from individuals and groups found to have been responsible. There is no record that the new National Chairman had either refunded any money or be prosecuted.

A source said: “The probe of Mua’zu by Yuguda was politically motivated; it was a consequence of Yuguda’s botched plans to secure the governorship ticket of the PDP in Bauchi State in 2007. Mua’zu had backed a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar.

“There were allegations that Mua’zu was instrumental to the exit of Yuguda from the PDP having drawn a former National Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmadu Ali, to his side to nail the ambition of Yuguda in PDP.

“Having won through a revolutionary process, Yuguda decided to bare his fangs to teach Mua’azu a great lesson.So, the probe commission was a product of vendetta. This is why nothing has come out of it.”

On its part, the EFCC had summoned Mu’azu, over alleged mismanagement of public funds amounting to about N19.8billion. Mua’zu was summoned by the EFCC on June 24, 2008 through a letter, CR: 3000/EFCC/ABJ/ASO/TM5/VOL.5/596.

Although the letter asked the ex-governor to report on or before July 3, 2008, he later relocated abroad on self-exile. But the anti-graft commission quizzed some former officials of Bauchi State Government including a former Commissioner for Finance, Alfa Ahmed; a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mohammed Nadada Umar; ex-Accountant-General for the state, Alhaji Bappa Tilde and the present Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Garba Noma. The case is still in abeyance as at the time of writing this analysis. A source in EFCC said: “When we invited Mua’zu, he said he was away to the UK for his daughter graduation in one of the universities and he did not return till 2010. He attended a graduation ceremony for about two years.

“Upon his return, when we were ready with charges against him, Mua’zu said he had heart-related problems and he needed to sort himself out medically to be able to stand trial.” Responding to a question, the source added: “We have never charged him to court for once.”

THE TASKS

BEFORE MUA’ZU

In spite of jubilation in Bauchi State and in some parts of the North over the emergence of Mua’zu as the National Chairman of PDP, the tasks before him are arduous. Yet, he has time constraint because the nation is already in an election year. His first assignment is how to keep PDP in order and united. There is much pretence that all is well with PDP but the cracks are everywhere either within the NWC or NEC or in the National Assembly where the party is almost losing its majority to the opposition, the All Progressives Congress(APC).

A week before his choice, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo had announced his withdrawal from all PDP activities. Mua’zu’s in-law, ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is still contemplating whether or not to leave the PDP. Already five governors(Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara) and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers) have defected to the APC alongside more than 171 members of the House of Representatives. The leaders are awaiting the magic wand that Mua’zu would wield to win back the aggrieved members. It will require many sleepless nights.

THE BANANA

PEELS IN PDP.

Virtually all the organs of the PDP have been hijacked by vested interest such that the party’s national chairman, if not strong enough, would be a mere stooge. The banana peels are the powerful governors of the party, the NWC, the BOT and the NEC. No one captures the challenges anyone leading PDP would face than the immediate past National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who admitted that he went through difficult times in office. He said “A mortal who would lead PDP must be fearless, consistent and focused. Personal ambition, crave for sudden wealth and unimaginable level of treachery usually got the full attention of such stakeholders than anything else.

“I did my best to bring PDP to good standard and international best practices in politics. I came in with the mind-set to reform the party by promoting the principle of election instead of selection and the idea of consensus instead of imposition.

“Alas, I was proved wrong by those who believed that the old order in PDP must be retained, not for any good thing, but for their selfish interests.

2015 POLL AS A

MAJOR TEST

The fairness or otherwise of the coming primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party at the ward, local government area, state and national levels would make or mar whatever is left of the PDP. His successor, Tukur had planned to do away with automatic ticket syndrome and godfatherism but the cabals in the party would not allow merit. With an assumption that Mua’zu was made the National Chairman of PDP to make the second term of Jonathan a fait accompli, he needs to prove otherwise that he can be fair and just. For now, history beckons on Mua’zu to prove that he learnt a lot from exile in Dubai. Otherwise, his second chance might be consigned to the dustbin of history. Will he etch his name in gold?

January 21, 2014
Court restrains Reps from changing House leadership

A Federal High Court in Abuja has temporarily restrained the House of Representatives and its principal officers from effecting any changes in the composition of its leadership.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in a ruling yesterday, ordered parties in a suit by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the House of Representatives and some of its members, to maintain status quo (allow things to remain as they currently are) pending the determination of the suit.

The judge elected to hear the substantive suit with the notices of preliminary objection filed by the defendants.

Mr. Justice Ademola, in ordering parties to maintain the status quo, held that even when a court’s jurisdiction to hear a case was being challenged, it has the power to decide whether or not it has jurisdiction.

He held that a court has the power and duty to preserve the res (the subject of dispute) until it decides whether or not it has jurisdiction to hear the case.

In electing to hear the preliminary objections with the originating summons, the judge relied on the provision of Order 29 Rule 1 (a) and (b) of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.

He ruled out the possibility of hearing a motion for interlocutory injunction filed by the plaintiff.

Justice Ademola fixed February 3 for hearing of both the defendants’ objection and the substantive suit. He ordered parties to file their written addresses before then.

The ruling was on arguments by lawyers representing parties, on how the court ought to proceed in hearing the case in view of the various applications filed by parties.

For over two hours yesterday, lawyers in the case, who were mostly senior advocates, argued on the sole issue of whether or not the court should first determine the question of jurisdiction before hearing the substantive suit.

The defence team, which included Sebastine Hon (SAN), Mahmoud Magaji (SAN), Eric Apia and Tairu Adebayo urged the court to first determine their objection against the court’s jurisdiction before hearing the substantive suit.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Yunus Usman (SAN), urged the court to either hear his motion for interlocutory injunction before the defence objection or hear both together and rule first, on the objection.

He argued that it was the position of the law that a court, even when its jurisdiction was challenged, must first preserve the res by making preservative orders, before determining whether or not it possesses the jurisdiction to hear the substantive case.

The PDP, in the suit it filed on January 7, wants the court to, among others, restrain the House of Reps, its Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, other principal officers and its defecting members in the House from taking any step “to alter or change the leadership of the 1st defendant (PDP)”.

The suit has the House of Representatives Speaker, Deputy Speaker and other principal officers of the House and its former members who defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) as defendants.

An officer of the PDP, Nanchang Ndam, stated in a supporting affidavit that while the defection of some of the defendants was still a subject of litigation before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, the defendants, particularly the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, have issued threats to change the leadership of the House.

He stated that unless the defendants were restrained, they could carry out the threat and thereby prejudice the earlier suit, cause a breakdown of law and other and paralyse the activities of the House.

The plaintiff raised two questions for the court’s determination and sought for four reliefs.

The PDP wants the court to determine whether, in view of the mandatory provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, and in view of the pendency of an earlier suit by the defecting law makers, they (the defecting legislators) can participate in any proceedings to remove the House’ principal officers.

The party equally wants the court to determine whether, in view of the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution and the pending suit by the defecting legislators, they (the defecting law makers) can lawfully alter the composition or constitution of the House’s leadership.

It is praying the court to declare that in view of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution and the pending case marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/621/2013, the defecting lawmakers “cannot lawfully vote and contribute to any motion for the removal or change of any of the principal officers” of the House.

PDP also wants the court to declare that the defecting lawmakers, who are plaintiffs in the earlier suit before Justice Mohammed of the same court, “are not competent to sponsor, contribute or vote on any motion calling for the removal or change in the leadership of the House or the removal of any principal officers of the House”.

It prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from “altering or changing the House’s leadership.

In their preliminary objections, Magaji (for House of Reps, Tambuwal and Ihedioha), Hon (for 12th and 13th, 15th to 30th defendants) and Apia (for 36th to 41st) defendants) urged the court to strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction.

They contended, among others, that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to institute the suit; that the suit is not justiceable; that the court lacked the jurisdiction to dabble in the internal affairs of the House, and that the case amounts to an academic or hypothetical exercise.

January 21, 2014
22 PDP Senators to dump PDP for APC

No fewer than 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators are to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), it was learnt yesterday.

The planned defection of PDP lawmakers is coming as the Senate resumes plenary today after the Christmas and New Year break.

A source said the defecting lawmakers used their recess to “dot the is and cross the ts” on the plan to move to the APC.

He noted that the “veiled” threat of the leadership of the Senate to declare vacant the seat of any senator who defects to the APC was not enough to deter those who had made up their minds to leave the PDP.

He insisted that “no amount of intimidation and/or threat can stop the wind of change sweeping across the country”.

He added that “nobody has the right to tell any senator what political party to belong to.”

The defecting senators, he said, would be led by a senator from Kwara State.

Asked about the specific number of senators who planned to defect to the APC, the source noted that “the number is increasing by the day”.

He said: “You are probably aware of 22 senators who have already been reported, but more are likely to join; you just wait and see.”

Senator Ajayi Boroffice, who was elected on the plaform of the Labour Party (LP) from Ondo North Senatorial District, said that it was not true that he planned to defect to the APC on the floor of the Senate today.

Boroffice said: “The report is not correct. I am a member of the APC, but I don’t intend to submit any letter of defection.”

A PDP Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Senator Bindowo Jibrilla, said on Sunday that no fewer than 17 of his colleagues will defect from the PDP to the APC when the Senate resumes.

Jibrila, who in a BBC Hausa Service monitored in Abuja, said the move was being taken to express their displeasure with the management of the party at the national level.

He said: “To be candid, we are 17 senators that will dump PDP for APC in the Senate very soon. This is a serious matter and not a joke, making me to lead the way by joining the APC already.”

The defecting senators going by Jibrila’s calculations are: Senators Bukola Saraki and Shaaba Lafiagi from Kwara State, Magnus Abe and Wilson Ake from Rivers State, and Basheer Mohammed and Hayatu Gwarzo from Kano State.

Others are: Umar Abubakar Tutare and Aisha Jummai Alhassan from Taraba State, Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa West) and the three PDP senators from Sokoto and Jigawa states when Governor Sule Lamido defects from PDP to APC this month.

The PDP has 73 senators. APC has 33. Labour Party has two. APGA has one.

January 21, 2014
Aspirant promises to fight corruption

Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Mr. Tony Prest has vowed to fight corruption, if elected as the governor. He said he would liberate the state and return it to the path of progress in 2015.

The politician lamented that Delta State has not realised its potentials as a promising atate. He complained that its resources have not be deployed to its development.

Prest described corruption as a major bane of development, adding that the main focus of his government is anti-graft war.

He said: “Every Delta indigene knows that corruption has destroyed the state. I know that we are not a helpless people and we cannot be slaves in our own land to a mafia-like, bloodthirsty and corrupt cabal.

“We cannot give up on our future and that of our children yet unborn. We cannot just sit down and be gossiping about corruption, banditry and brigandry nightmare of our state without doing anything about freeing ourselves from this enslavement that we are in.”

January 21, 2014
‘PDP must field credible candidate’

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State,Ambassador Dare Bejide, has said that the party is capable of winning back its lost members, if credible candidates emerge through transparent process.

Speaking with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the capital, he said that members, who have left the party did so out of the fear that their principals might be schemed out.

The former Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada urged the party to take the advantage of the next elections to win lost members back to its fold by fielding credible candidates for elective positions.

He described himself as the most qaulified governorship aspirant in the Ekiti PDP.

Bejide said: “I am a home boy. I have been living with my people all the while. Even, when I was in government, I did not stay in Government House. I stayed with my people here. So, the people too know who care for them and I know they would not abandon me.

“Our party must be very careful in the way it chooses its candidate. It must look for a non-controversial figure, who will enjoy the support of the followers, even outside PDP. “

Bejide said what appears to be intractable crisis in PDP would fizzle out as soon as the party surmounted the challenge to choose its flag-bearer.

He said the state officials have not taken seriously the issue of the party flagbearer. He added that task lies with the National Executive Commitee (NEC).

He charged the leaders of the party both at the state and national not to toy with the zoning formular, describing it as crucial in whatever decision they might want to take ahead of the 2014 governorship election.

January 21, 2014
No division in Lagos PDP, says chairman

The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not fractionalised, its Chairman, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd), has said. He also said that the chapter has passed a vote of confidence on Chief Olabode George as its leader, adding that the retired soldier will lead the chapter to victory in 2015.

In a statement signed on the behalf of the chairman by the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taofeek Gani, he chided some people, who he described as strange forces, for peddling the rumour of division at a time the chapter has resolved its internal problems.

Shelle said: “Ordinarily, we ought to ignore the statement credited to the faceless group, but for record purpose, we are inclined to state categorically that there is no faction in the Lagos PDP. We have never heard such a name in the Lagos PDP. We are one united family in Lagos PDP and it is laughable that a person or few persons can cowardly claim factionalisation of the party. Indeed, they are agent provocateurs.”

The chairman urged party members to unite for the next general elections and put to shame the agents of destabilisation.

He advised them to be weary of disgrunted elements impersonating loyal members.

Shelle added: “As a matter of necessity, the Lagos State PDP has reiterated its vote of confidence on its leaders. They have their individual merits and roles to play in the party. This chapter has reaffirmed its unflinching support and loyalty to Chief Olabode george as our prime leader”.

January 21, 2014
Puppet quits, puppeteer remains

Puppet quits, puppeteer remains. Open sesame: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) problems vanish? Not by any chance!

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, vanquished PDP national chairman, may be the ultimate fall guy in the 2015 presidential chess game. He has been sacrificed as any pun would.

But the game is far from over, for the puppeteer is still alive and well; and ready to tangle! So are his opponents: flush with Tukur’s unceremonious junking!

Still, you’ve got to feel for Alhaji Bamanga, the way he seems to make a hash of things. Sure, the cards are almost always stacked against him. But his Achilles’ heel would appear his political antenna, too blunt to pick up danger, even if his nose is on fire!

As 2nd Republic governor of defunct Gongola State (1 October – 31 December 1983), his three-month gubernatorial reign came with the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN)-confected electoral landslide, moon-slide, and space-slide, that left everybody, victor and vanquished, numb.

Sure, his political amorality of, in months, transiting from the boss at Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) — almost always the electoral cash cow of Nigeria’s federal ruling parties — to a winning opposition candidate in Gongola (now Adamawa and Taraba states), did not help.

Yet, perhaps only the likes of Tukur believed the house of fraud the NPN built was not about to crash. He would therefore go ahead, pretending to play “His Excellency”, on the basis of that “space-slide”. He lasted all of three comical months!

This same costly naivety (more aptly, happy opportunism?) would drive his PDP chairmanship odyssey, for the PDP house of fraud that Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of the Federal Republic, built was cracking and creaky all over. He lasted 18 turbulent months!

Indeed, since President Obasanjo decided the late Solomon Lar, first PDP national chairman, was no longer a Solomon the party needed; and PDP elders back then endured Obasanjo’s muscling by presidential might, the PDP national chairmanship had become one long, slippery “banana peel”.

“Banana peel” were the picturesque words of Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo, late colourful politician and former president of the Senate, as he described the high attrition rate of Senate presidents of his era, in eternal feuding with an insufferable President Obasanjo, who made little secret of wanting to corral the National Assembly as executive sidekick and rubberstamp, despite the presidential system’s rigid separation of power.

Indeed, since Obasanjo stonewalled the late Sunday Awoniyi, the Kogi giant, for Barnabas Gemade, the Benue not-so-known, every Tukur predecessor had come to grief: Audu Ogbe, Vincent Ogbulafor, Okwesilieze Nwodo and, of course, Tukur.

The only exception, of course, was Ahmadu Ali, who proved a merry Obasanjo puppet just as Tukur proved a merry Jonathan one. He got away with his bully principal; but left his party dazed and stunned.

Mr. Ogbe’s own call was holy rebellion against presidential complicity in the Chris Ngige Police-aided kidnapping in Anambra, at which the Obasanjo presidency sided with the constitutional bandits. He got tossed out all right, but with his honour intact as the party’s smothered conscience.

In contrast, Tukur fell as wilful party collaborator in the Jonathan Presidency’s Police-aided serial subversion of the Rivers Government, issuing from partisan bile against Governor Chibuike Amaechi — unhorsed by PDP changing dynamics, which not even the manipulating hands of his principal and puppeteer could steady.

The pair of Messrs Ogbulafor and Nwodo — with all due respect to them, for excellent citizens they are — are no more than blips on a party consumed by its own hubris. Mr. Ogbulafor once blurted his “largest party in Africa” would rule the roost for 60 years! It is ode to hubris that Mr. Ogbulafor himself lasted just over two years (March 2008-May 2010) as chairman!

Indeed, the PDP conundrum would appear the real-politik equivalent of the Parmenides-Heraclitus philosophical see-saw. Like Heraclitus’s flux, the PDP chairmanship is a yo-yo. But again, not unlike Parmenides’ staid permanence, the constant change in PDP underscores how unchanged the party remains!

The Obasanjo-Ali pair is therefore no different from the Jonathan-Tukur pair. But while second-term President Obasanjo had the gravitas to muscle Ali a safe landing, first-term President Jonathan lacks neither the tact nor the balls to hand Tukur one. Besides, Jonathan lacks the brawn to maintain, without blinking, the odious, in-your-face-impunity as party subversion tactics, of the Obasanjo era.

Tukur, therefore, became an issue only because his principal was. He is gone now, but his principal is still on. So, those who suggest his exit will bring entente to the troubled party blow hot air!

It is, therefore, in the 2015 presidential sweepstakes that the post-Tukur pitch battles would be fought. Jonathan still makes a fetish of hiding, behind a finger, his 2015 ambitions. But his intra-PDP foes have already cut the chase, and are dug in at the battle zone.

Northern anti-Jonathan PDP elements have always regarded the president as some harbourer of “stolen good” — the presidency, on account of PDP’s aborted zoning, at the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua. And they chafe at the spectre of a Jonathan presidential encore in 2015.

That was the genesis of the not so incredible claim that, to assuage the “North’s” hurt, Jonathan had pledged himself to a one-term presidency. So is it, the root of the pressure on the president to oust himself from 2015, the refusal of which birthed the defunct “New PDP”, and inspired the defection, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), of five of the G-7 PDP governors, aside from the Rivers impunity mess, in which Tukur also played the zestful party collaborator.

In all of these Tukur, with his poise of a school headmaster taking no nonsense from uncouth urchins, did not help matters. Tukur was asked to jump and his uncritical question was “how high”? No surprise there, that he broke his back!

He probably richly earned his demonization as some Judas to some “northern” cause. But much of that derring-do must have come at the promptings of a president, probably only too happy to unleash him on his northern brothers.

But no tears for PDP. Its goose is cooked. The tears, rather, are for a fledgling democracy with a suspect party system.

No matter how visible the ruling party’s crisis is, it is only but a symptom of the disease: the fraud of electing a president on a platform, only to declare him supreme to, and untouchable by, the party on which he rode to power!

That is the fraudulent concept of “party leader”, that makes the PDP president some Leviathan over and above a party that made him a candidate.

That was what Obasanjo brewed and bequeathed. That is what Jonathan has spectacularly mismanaged. And that is what even APC, on the rise now it may be, must watch, if it is not to blunder into the PDP pit.

If this democracy must deliver development and prosperity — and not waste itself in the dissipative manoeuvres of intra-party war puppets and puppeteers — there is urgent need to fix the party system.

January 21, 2014