Tag: tipped

Four candidates are being tipped as likely successor to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, if he is consumed by the ongoing crisis in the party.

The Northeast may, however, still retain the slot – in line with the party’s zoning formula.

The candidates favoured by some governors and anti-Tukur forces are ex-Governor of Bauchi State Adamu Mua’zu; a former Deputy National Secretary of the party, Dr. Musa Babayo; Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States, Alhaji Hassan Adamu(Wakilin Adamawa); and a former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prof. Rufai Alkali.

Also, the anti-Tukur forces are seeking the disbandment of the parallel National Working Committee (NWC) as part of the ongoing reconciliation in the party.

According to sources, those against Tukur are still pushing ahead in their call for his removal.

A source said: “At least four candidates are on the card to succeed Tukur if the crisis in the party lingers. Any of these candidates can lead the party to victory in 2015.

“The merits of these candidates are already being sold to party leaders and governors, if it becomes necessary to effect leadership change.”

Another source added: “Some governors, NWC and BOT members are hoping that we won’t get to a point where we will change the party leadership. But if it is inevitable, we will choose any of these candidates.

“The ball is in Tukur’s court to bow to PDP members’ request to manage the party with fairness, equity and justice. He should stop being part of the problems of the party as the case in Adamawa State.

“Chief Tony Anenih’s BOT committee also has a lot to do to reconcile groups opposed to Tukur’s style of administration, which is like that of a sole administrator of the PDP.

“It is also believed that Tukur’s media outbursts have not helped matters.”

Meanwhile, moves are being made to dismantle the alleged parallel National Working Committee(NWC) being operated by Tukur.

The parallel NWC members are special advisers serving the National chairman.

A third source said: “As we prepare for the National Executive Committee meeting, governors and leaders want the disbandment of the so-called parallel NWC in the interest of cohesion in Tukur’s Executive.

“Members of the same parallel NWC caused the crisis of confidence between Tukur and the sacked National Secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

“Oyinlola incurred the wrath of Tukur’s unofficial special advisers because he refused to sign their letters of appointment based on his conviction that their appointments by the national chairman were illegal and were not known to PDP’s Establishment Manual.

“Tukur, at the inception of the current National Working Committee, forwarded names of 10 people to be appointed his special advisers. Oyinlola, however, refused to issue their letters of appointment and advised the national chairman against spending party funds on the special advisers.

“This was one of the causes of Oyinlola’s problem with Mallam Habu Fari, who operated in Tukur’s office for a few months with the nomenclature of Chief of Staff. Fari was later sacked by the national chairman to pave the way for smooth administration of the PDP national headquarters.

“The same parallel NWC was behind plans to ‘’clip the wings of state governors who had become too powerful.’’

“For instance, the National Legal Adviser has been rendered redundant as all his functions have been taken over by a legal advisor.”