Still basking in the euphoria of a successful coup against some governors perceived as enemies of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has said that governors on the platform of the party would not pick presidential candidate for the party in 2015.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio was picked to lead a new platform, the PDP Governors’ Forum last weekend at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, even as the party’s national leadership has said that the PDP Governors’ Forum was not meant to undermine the larger body, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Those opposed to the purported ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan were not bemused that Akpabio’s nomination to lead the new platform was taken at the Presidential Villa.
Niger State Governor and Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, had openly declared his interest in the presidential race, alleging that President Jonathan signed a pact with PDP governors in 2010 before he was supported for the party’s presidential ticket. There had been unconfirmed reports that Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido was also eyeing the 2015 presidential ticket that would see the embattled NGF Chairman and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Tukur however, told newsmen in Abuja yesterday that PDP governors would not choose for the party, as he noted that the party had its own process of picking its candidate. He noted that there was nothing to worry about if some of the governors decide to back Jonathan for the ticket as it was being speculated. “Let me tell you, that is in order in politics. Jonathan is the President under our party and what is wrong if he decides to run? The others have the same opportunity to promote their candidate, if they have… But the Governors’ Forum isn’t the platform for electing candidate; we have our own system.’’
On Governor Aliyu’s allegation that the PDP Governors Forum was created to undermine the NGF, Tukur said that the Niger State governor was expressing individual opinion, not the position of the party. “Well, it is an opinion. It doesn’t mean that all our governors agree with him. He can say so but I have explained to you as the chairman of this party that they are all my governors, we may not share the same position on the formation of PDP Governors’ Forum. But I have explained to you our intention, as a party.
We want our governors to come together.’’ Meanwhile, the PDP leadership has commended President Jonathan and the leadership of the National Assembly for the successful signing of the 2013 budget, even as it urged all government agencies to ensure its full implementation for the benefit of Nigerians. The party said the delay in assenting to the budget was as a result of Jonathan’s and the PDP-led National Assembly;s insistence on thoroughness and to ensure that the provisions were in the best interest of the country.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said in a statement yesterday that the party was highly impressed by the fatherly role played by the President in being meticulous with the budget. The party also commended Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for their roles in ensuring understanding between the two arms on the budget. “The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commends President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the National Assembly for the successful signing of the 2013 budget.
“The party commends the two arms for ensuring that they played their constitutional roles of checks and balances to guarantee that the provisions of the budget were in the best interest of Nigerians. “The successful signing of the budget after proper checks were made to confirm that its provisions are in the best interest of the Nigerian people indicates that the Presidency and the National Assembly have been on the same page in ensuring the welfare of Nigerians which is the hallmark of the PDP-led administration”, the statement said.
The PDP urged the executive to ensure proper implementation of the budget even as it charged the National Assembly to strengthen its oversight capacity to guarantee effective utilization of resources. It also thanked ‘’Nigerians for their calmness and patience even in the face of inciting statements from opposition groups’’. The statement said such is an indication that Nigerians have confidence in the PDP-led administration in the country.
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