Despite a string of last-ditch efforts to save his job, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur may have to vacate his office if the party must stand any chance of a decent performance in the 2015 general elections.
Tukur has lost the confidence of various sections of the party, most notably members of the National Working Committee (NWC), who have accused him of a number of indiscretions, such as holding party /NWC meetings at his residence instead of the PDP Secretariat, running a parallel NWC by taking critical decisions after consulting only with his aides, and making himself inaccessible to members, sometimes for up to two weeks.
Tukur is also being blamed for the mass defection of governors and members of the National Assembly members, as well as the unhappiness of the BOT and NEC members. He is also accused of recording no single achievement since emerging National Chairman more than two years ago — not even completing the national secretariat of the party; as well as travelling all over the world without anything to show for it.
On Tuesday, a pressure group in the party, the PDP Patriots, insisted that the NEC should ensure Tukur is ousted from his position, accusing him of forgetting that he is answerable to the PDP National Executive Committee, the body constitutionally empowered to act on behalf of the National Convention that produced him.
In a statement circulated in Abuja, the group warned the party’s NEC of the dangers of retaining Prof. Olawale Oladipo as National Secretary despite the ruling of the Court of Appeal reinstating Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
“We commend the NWC members for coming out of their shells after being timid for a long time to take a stand in the current crises plaguing the PDP”, the group wrote in the statement.
“If they did not, they probably could have faced charges of complicity, since the PDP constitution gives two-thirds of NWC members [eight out of 12[ the right to take decisions, should the national chairman fail to act, and such decisions would be binding.
“They could go a step further by reversing all the decisions forced down their throats by the national chairman and report same to NEC. All such unilateral decisions made by Tukur, including serial violation of PDP constitution, should be properly compiled by the G-9 NWC members headed by Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and brought before the NEC meeting for endorsement of reversal, so that PDP could be saved from the agony of shooting itself on the foot, as these could be counted against all NWC members at the time of reckoning”.
It urged Bamanga Tukur to gladly accept to step aside in the overall interest of the party instead of threatening President Goodluck Jonathan who made him the national chairman and other organs of the PDP with contempt of court, as his exit is largely seen as the solution to the myriad of problems he created for the PDP.
“It is interesting that Tukur has forgotten that he is answerable to the PDP National Executive Committee, which is constitutionally empowered to act on behalf of the National Convention of the party, which produced him.
“Tukur, as an individual, does not constitute the National Working Committee, or the National Executive Committee. Any suit filed on behalf of the PDP by the NWC can also be withdrawn by two-thirds majority of the NWC of the PDP, which also has the right to discontinue any suit filed before any court of law by the party.
“After all, Tukur in the same manner unilaterally directed that the appeal filed by the PDP for stay of execution of the judgement of the Federal High Court that removed Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and national officers of the party be withdrawn by Chief Joe Gadzama, SAN, at both the Federal High Court, Abuja, and the Court of Appeal, Lagos Judicial Division, to prevent the three South-west zonal officers from returning to office.
“Unfortunately, Tukur disrespected the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal, and chose to respect the ruling of a Federal High Court, an action which forms part of several illegal decisions unilaterally taken by Tukur, which have opened the PDP to ridicule. Never again must stakeholders allow PDP to be managed by a dictator who cannot be trusted to function as a team player. We wish all our leaders and stakeholders well and pray that the Creator may give them the wisdom to put things right without fail, at their meetings this week”.
The PDP Patriots also implored the NEC to reappraise the retention of the current national secretary, saying Oladipo’s continued occupation of the position of PDP national secretary may portend grave danger for the party, as decisions reached at any PDP forum conveying the signature or participation of Oladipo as National Secretary may be successfully challenged in court in future; and such decisions may be invalidated on account of the illegality surrounding Oladipo’s appointment and tenure as National Secretary of the PDP.
“Whoever occupies the position of National Secretary of a political party is the custodian of the seal of the organisation; and is like the conscience of the party, who must be free from any form of entanglements that could cause legal or moral problems for the PDP”.
Despite all the pressure, Tukur is not giving up just yet. On Tuesday, he met President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, pleading for presidential intervention to remain in office and assuring that he would reconcile with the aggrieved members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and other leaders of the party.
At the villa, Tukur reportedly attempted to kneel down before Jonathan, but the president resisted due to his old age. He cited his loyalty to the president and promised to reunite with governors, NWC members and other aggrieved leaders of the party.
The president subsequently had a meeting with Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih; a former President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani; former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George; former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; and former National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Haliru Bello, who all supported a second chance for Tukur to make peace and save his job.
