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Tag: Tukur

  • Hajiya Bamanga-Tukur hits golden age

    For Hajiya Fatima Bamanga-Tukur, this is a period of celebration and gratitude to God for attaining the landmark age of 50. The youngest wife of PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, attains the golden age this weekend.

    Àlthough she has kept her cards close to her chest as to whether she will be throwing open her doors for people to celebrate with her, family members and friends are waiting earnestly for the day. The fair-complexioned lady, who does not look a day older than 40, has every reason to be thankful to her Maker for her ravishingly youthful looks, if nothing else.

    Ask her the secrets of her good looks, and the modest lady would not hesitate to attribute it to the grace of God and her peaceful lifestyle.

    The envy of a lot of women, Fatima won the heart of the PDP chairman about five years ago. And while her husband might have other wives, Fatima, the youngest of them, seems to hold the centre of the man’s heart. She is hardly seen at social events, but her profile has been on the rise, particularly since her husband became the national chairman of the PDP.

     

  • PDP ready to wield the big stick, says Tukur

    PDP ready to wield the big stick, says Tukur

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday warned that it will not hesitate to wield the big stick against errant party members.

    Its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukr, said the party would henceforth invoke relevant provisions of the party’s constitution against those he called “saboteurs and agents of destabilisation”.

    A statement in Abuja by his office quoted the party chairman as saying the party’s failure to punish past errant members was responsible for the rising cases of indiscipline in the ruling party.

    He added that failure of PDP to enforce its laws for whipping troublesome members into line had accounted for the crisis of confidence among members and the leadership.

    Tukur said: “People say we have crises in our party. It may appear so, but that also shows that democracy is at play in the way we conduct our affairs. We are a family and, like any family, we can disagree and then agree. We have mastered the game. That is the reason we have been afloat.

    “However, we are talking about discipline here. During the PDP family dinner, I emphasised the necessity for party discipline in line with the vision of our founding fathers.

    “We have our constitution to guide us in maintaining discipline. Our past failures to uphold discipline with every sense of seriousness has been the reason some members act in very questionable manners.

    “The party’s constitution has always been a veritable tool for promoting harmonious relationship and cohesion among members.

    “Everybody is talking about 2015 with the expectations that we must win fairly and transparently. How can we achieve that if certain members of the party go against the rules with impunity, while nothing happens?

    “We have had enough of inconsistencies and loose conducts. Today, we say that must stop, to avoid distractions in our desire to retain power by 2015.” The PDP chairman said the party has become weary of getting reports of anti-party activities against members in some states.

    According to him, the founding fathers were focused on raising the PDP into a formidable party that would promote justice, equity and fairness among its members.

    He said party discipline and supremacy, were also parts of the major planks upon which PDP was built.

    The chairman said having gone this far in entrenching democracy in Nigeria since 1999, the party’s main pre-occupation was to consolidate on the gains of democracy.

    Tukur said the presentation of a Mid-Term Report of stewardship by President Goodluck Jonathan was laudable and necessary.

    This, he added, offered Nigerians the opportunity to reflect on what the PDP administration had attained in the past two years to make the government do more.

     

  • PDP ready to wield the big stick – Tukur

    PDP ready to wield the big stick – Tukur

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not hesitate to wield the big stick against errant party members, the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has said.

    According to him, the party will henceforth invoke the relevant provisions of its constitution against those he described as “saboteurs and agents of destabilisation” among the membership.

    A statement from his office on Monday quoted the party chairman to have said that failure on the part of the PDP to discipline errant members in the past had been responsible for the rising cases of indiscipline in the ruling party.

    He added that failure of PDP to strictly enforce its laws for whipping troublesome members into line had accounted for the crisis of confidence among members and the leadership.

    Tukur said: “People say we have crises in our party. It may appear so, but that also shows that democracy is at play in the way we conduct our affairs. We are a family and like any family, we can disagree and then agree. We have mastered the game and that is the reason we have been keeping afloat.

    “However, we are talking about discipline here. During the PDP Family Dinner, I emphasised the necessity for party discipline in line with the vision of our founding fathers.

    “We have our constitution to guide us in maintaining discipline. Our past failures to uphold discipline with every sense of seriousness has been the reason some members act in very questionable manners.

    “The party’s constitution has always been a veritable tool for promoting harmonious relationship and cohesion among members.”

     

  • PDP crisis: We’ll resolve our differences, says Tukur

    PDP crisis: We’ll resolve our differences, says Tukur

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamaga Tukur, has said the party would explore peaceful means to resolve the festering crisis threatening the ruling party.

    Tukur gave the assurance when he addressed reporters in Abuja at the weekend.

    According to him, dialogue remains the best option in the resolution of what he called differences in opinions among some party chieftains.

    The party chairman said there is no crisis-free party or association anywhere in the world, adding that with the right approach, any crisis situation can be brought under control.

    The PDP national chairman said the ruling party has achieved some success since it took over the leadership of the country at the centre.

    Tukur said: “We have achieved a lot in the areas of infrastructure development, economy, agriculture and others. It is work in progress and we admit that along the line, we have had the good, the bad and the ugly.

    “As the ruling party, we appreciate the enormous challenges ahead and we are doing our very best to meet the hopes and aspirations of the Nigerian people that put us in power.

  • Another slip of Tukur’s tongue

    Another slip of Tukur’s tongue

    The national Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, last Tuesday stirred another crisis within the party when he ordered governors elected on the party’s platform, who have plans to return in 2015 to start campaigns immediately.

    The chairman said if the governors hope to be re-elected by their people, this is the time for them to start seeking the votes of the people. He spoke in Abuja after a meeting with a group of lawmakers.

    However, his statement may have been interpreted as a blanket order giving the party’s gubernatorial tickets to the affected governors contrary to the constitutional provisions of the party, which calls for primaries in electing the flag-bearers of the party in any election.

    Already, the chairman has been receiving knocks from within and outside the party over the statement and sources close to him say his handlers are currently mulling over how to handle the negative publicity that is likely to follow the obviously unguarded utterance.

  • Tukur urges PDP governors to prepare for 2015 polls

    Tukur urges PDP governors to prepare for 2015 polls

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has urged the governors elected on the platform of the party to begin preparations for the 2015 elections.

    Tukur spoke yesterday when he hosted some former members of the National Assembly in his Abuja home.

    He warned PDP governors not to fall prey to the antics of those he called praise singers, adulators and grovellers milling around them.

    Tukur hailed the PDP governors for what he called their landmark achievements, adding that he had been assessing the progress of the governors in their states.

    He advised them not to ascribe the glory of their achievements to themselves but to the party which he said offered them the platform to serve.

    Tukur said: “Most of the PDP governors have indeed been implementing the party’s manifesto on education, infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, power generation, transformation, aviation and others.

    “After a thorough review of developmental initiatives by state governments across Nigeria, I have come to the conclusion that PDP governors remain the best with landmark achievements.

    “The best performing governors are in PDP, no doubt. I took note of this during the reconciliation tour we made. I also got reports on their day-to-day performances. To me, we must give the PDP the credit.

    “If you are performing and everybody acknowledges it, it is not you who should take the credit, but the PDP. It is the party that gave you the platform to serve and so the party’s name, like a label, must be attached to every achievement you made”.

     

  • Tukur urges sacrifice

    Tukur urges sacrifice

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has appealed to Nigerians to see the emergency rule imposed on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states as a collective sacrifice.

    He urged them to join the war against terrorism to make the emergency rule work in the three states.

    In a statement yesterday, Tukur said Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states would feel the heat of the emergency rule.

    He enjoined Nigerians to be vigilant, particularly those in communities around the borders.

    Said he: “All states of the federation must guard their borders as a proactive measure to curb terrorism.

    “No sacrifice should be too much in the effort to contain terrorism.

    “While the military and other security agencies will be concentrating efforts on the hottest beds of terrorism in Nigeria, the neighbouring states and indeed, all states of the federation should equally pick up the gauntlet to join in the fight while watching their borders.”

    The PDP Chair stressed that by remaining vigilant, other parts of the country would be guarding against fleeing terrorists relocating to their communities.

    He went on: “Before now, I campaigned against terrorism, which I described as evil. I said the fight against the evil must involve everyone and not security personnel alone.

    “If our security men are fighting terrorists in Yobe, the neighbouring states should not fold their arms. We all need to be more vigilant so that if terrorists escape from one state, they would have no breathing space in any area they may decide to invade.

    “President Goodluck Jonathan took the last option of declaring a state of emergency because the terrorists were becoming more daring. They were even planning to declare a state of their own. This happened because many of us believed that terrorism had been a problem for the North alone.”

    Tukur expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to make the emergency rule work in the affected states.

    He urged political stakeholders, irrespective of party affiliation, to rally round the government with every means in their capacity to make the fight against terrorism a success.

    According to the PDP Chairman, the emergency rule was extended to Adamawa State because it shared a border with Borno State where terrorists’ onslaught had been on a large scale.

    He said rather than criticise the imposition of emergency rule on the states, Nigerians should be ready to offer ideas that could help contain terrorism.

  • Tukur to Asari Dokubo: stop threatening war over 2015 poll

    Tukur to Asari Dokubo: stop threatening war over 2015 poll

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has cautioned ex-Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, and others threatening to go to war if President Goodluck Jonathan does not get re-elected in 2015.

    Speaking with reporters at the party’s secretariat yesterday, Tukur said it is wrong for anyone to make such threats over election, adding that democracy is about people making a free choice through the ballot.

    Former Niger Delta militant, Dokubo and the Special Adviser to the President, Mr. Kinsley Kuku, were in separate statements penultimate week, quoted to have said that the people in the Niger Delta region would go to war if President Jonathan failed to secure re-election in 2015.

    Tukur said there was no reason for such threats as the present administration would guarantee free and fair elections.

    He stressed that election is a competition in which the people are allowed to freely choose their leaders at the poll.

    According to him, in a free and fair election, there is no reason for losers or any group to threaten war if their preferred candidate does not win.

    He said: “Elections should be a free and fair affair. So, it is wrong for anyone or group to threaten to go to war over election. It is about people making their choice.

    “Everyone is free to offer himself for election, but it is the duty of the people to choose whoever they want.”

    The party chair described the ongoing merger arrangement among opposition parties as a healthy development for the nation and its democracy, stressing that political groups should be allowed to express their wishes and preferences.

    “But let us wait to see their manifesto whether it will address the wishes, fears and expectations of the Nigerian people,” Tukur added.

    He said under the PDP government, every political group or association has the right to express its wishes, adding, however, that in doing this the unity and stability of the nation should be treated as sacrosanct.

    Tukur said the PDP cannot pretend to be the only party in the country, although it has its presence in the 774 local governments.

    Said he: “The PDP government will continue to provide a level playing field. That’s how to ensure justice, equity, patronage and progress. We are not distracted by the activities of the merging opposition parties.

    “The PDP will find out what other parties are doing and make adjustments to serve Nigerians better.”

  • Tukur’s son, others challenge court’s jurisdiction to hear N1.8b subsidy fraud

    Tukur’s son, others challenge court’s jurisdiction to hear N1.8b subsidy fraud

    Two oil marketers, Mahmud Tukur and Alex Ochonogor, with their company, Eterna Oil Plc, yesterday challenged the jurisdiction of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, to hear the N1.8 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Mahmud is the son of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The oil marketers filed their application before the court, presided over by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo. The application, dated May 3, was filed by their counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

    The defendants were arraigned with Abdullahi Alao, son of prominent Ibadan businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola-Alao.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter, Olanipekun told the court that the application had been served on the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

    The defence counsel said the application was seeking an order to quash or strike out the charge for want of jurisdiction.

    He said: “The criminal charge was not instituted in accordance with procedural due process. This charge is a matter relating to the revenue of the federation on which only the Federal High Court has jurisdiction.

    “The substratum of the charge is within the admiralty jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.”

    Olanipekun also said his clients filed the application late because they were still discussing the charge with the Federal Government.

    “As at now, we are still discussing. I say this from the Bar, even if my learned friend, Jacobs, claims not to be aware,” he added.

    Jacobs told the court that he was not aware of the discussion between the Federal Government and the defendants.

    He, however, urged the court to allow the parties to take the application orally.

    But the judge declined his request.

    Justice Onigbanjo adjourned the matter till May 28 for argument on the application.

    He also directed the parties to file and attach their written addresses to the processes before the next adjournment date.

     

  • Tukur’s resignation rumour unsettles PDP

    Tukur’s resignation rumour unsettles PDP

    A ‘SUDDEN’ directive from the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has created anxiety amongst members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the staff at the party’s national headquarters, Abuja.

    Tukur told his aides to take an inventory, of all party items in his office.

    To some of his aides, the inventory which began about 48 hours ago, is “suspicious”.

    It could not be immediately ascertained whether Tukur has decided to resign or not, following the speculation that some members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) were pushing for his exit – “for true reconciliation in the party”.

    Tukur asked some of his aides on Sunday to take an “inventory of all items” in his three offices.

    The PDP national chair has offices at the party’s National Secretariat, the Legacy House, which serves as the Presidential Campaign Office for the ruling party and his residence in Wuse.

    Tukur was said to have personally supervised the inventory before leaving for Lagos en route Canada yesterday.

    One of the aides said: “We had no inkling of any challenge, but the chairman directed us to immediately take an inventory of all items in his three offices.

    “Some of us tried to find out if anything was amiss but no one told us why an inventory of items became necessary at this particular period.

    “What made us curious is that he did not bother about inventory of items when he assumed the leadership of the party.

    “We complied with the directive before the national chairman left for Canada this afternoon via Lagos. He took a chartered flight to Lagos.”

    Another source alleged there had been a frosty relationship between the presidency and Tukur in the last one week.

    The source said: “From reports available, the PDP national chairman was at the Villa on Thursday to see the leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan, but he did not see him.

    “Tukur ought to have proceeded on the Canada trip on Sunday but it was delayed because there was no clearance from the Presidency until yesterday.

    “So, no one could say whether the inventory was a routine thing or in preparation for resignation on personal grounds.”

    Another source said: “For quite sometime, some members of the Board of Trustees and party stalwarts have been uncomfortable with Tukur as the National Chairman of PDP because his tenure has left the party divided.

    “They cited some instances, like the conflict between Tukur and the sacked National Secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; the crisis of confidence within the National Working Committee; the Ogun State PDP crisis which has caused a feud between President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; and the Adamawa crisis.

    “Some BOT members and party leaders have impressed it on Jonathan that Tukur cannot lead PDP to victory in 2015. As a matter of fact, some governors have said that they cannot work with Tukur.

    “When Tukur’s reconciliation tour failed, the BoT embarked on a similar exercise which recorded ‘modest’ success.”

    PDP National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh said: “I am not aware that the national chairman is taking an inventory of items in his office. His office is locked.

    “I am also not aware of any resignation. NWC members are unaware. Why will he resign? What for? I was with him today before he travelled out, he did not tell me anything.”

    But an aide to Tukur dispelled the resignation.

    A statement by his Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. A .Y. Ahmad said Tukur was on a national assignment to Canada on the invitation of the Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, Chief Ojo Madueke.

    Ahmad added that the party chair left Nigeria in peace with nothing whatsoever to lend credence to any rumour about his resignation.

    The statement reads: “The speculation is part of the machinations of some faceless, treacherous and wicked individuals who are aiming to profit from misleading innocent members of the party and Nigerians in general for no sane reason.

    “The national chairman is a national and an international figure. He has been working hard to ensure the re-positioning of PDP for future challenges and so had no plan to resign as being suggested by some sworn enemies of the party.”