The suspension of Tukur was announced by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) few hours after he (Tukur) released a press statement to clarify his position on the suit seeking to remove the current Chairman of PDP from office.
Tukur in the statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Oliver Okpala, denied being a plaintiff in the suit filed by Aliyu Abuba Gurin seeking his (Tukur) reinstatement as the national chairman of the party.
The case was dismissed by the court on Monday and costs awarded against the plaintiff, Gurin.
However, the PDP wielded the big stick on Tukur on Thursday when the party in a statement issued by its National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwom, said the duo of Tukur and Gurin had been placed on one month suspension with immediate effect, while their matter had been referred to the disciplinary committee of the party.
The party specifically said the duo were suspended because of the attempt to remove Mu’azu and also stall the National convention of the party slated for next week where President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to be officially announced as the presidential candidate of the party for 2015 election.
Part of the statement by Kwom reads: “The NWC reasoned that for instituting a claim and counter claim in suit FHC/ABJ /821/2014; Gurin vs PDP & 3 others without first exploring and exhausting the party’s internal mechanism of redress and for attempting to stop the forthcoming National Convention to nominate the party’s presidential candidate as well as regularise the position of the National Chairman and other members of the National Working Committee is unacceptable.
“The NWC hereby suspends Dr. Bamanga Tukur and Aliyu Abuba Gurin for one month and refers them to the National Disciplinary Committee for infringing on Section 58(1)(a)( b)( h)( l) of the PDP Constitution 2012( as amended).”
However, Tukur in the earlier statement issued by his Media Aide denied any plan to appeal the judgement which was in favour of Mu’azu and the PDP.
He noted that it is very wrong for anyone to think that he instituted the legal matter against Mu’azu as he was listed as defendant in the case and had to respond to issues raised in it in accordance with the law.
In another development, Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Akwa Ibom State Governor and four other Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday met former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with a plea to him to sheathe his swords in scathing criticism of incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan.
Although journalists were not allowed in the three-hours meeting, impeccable source close to Obasanjo obliged that the Akwa Ibom Governor and his Niger State counterpart, Babangida Aliu, took turn to speak, pleading with the retired General to shelve his strong negative views on the Jonathan re-election bid.
“As a father of the nation in all respects, we cannot gag your opinion and views which are personal, but we ask that as a father, you maintain your neutrality in this matter.
“It is not even out of place to ask that you look at the performance index in other areas aside from the politically motivated insecurity in a section of the country to drum support for Mr. President, “ Akpabio reportedly asked of Obasanjo,” they stated.
But emerging from the closed door meeting, Obasanjo told journalists at his Presidential Hilltops Mansion that his guests came to discuss politics, economy and the general wellbeing of the country.
“They were concerned about what you may call the situation of the nation, security and economy. We have discussed most of them I have raised in my own public pronouncement in recent times not to castigate anybody, not to bad-mouth anybody, not to run anybody down but out of genuine concern for the situation of this country and that is the same thing that has brought them and I want to thank them.
“When we look at these issues closely, very objectively and we came to the conclusion that yes we have a bad situation but not irretrievably bad. Something can still be done and what now is required is the will and the courage to do something when and how it needs to be done.
“We agreed on that and we also agreed that I appreciate their coming to me because of the respect and honour they have for me. This task is not for one man and it is not even a task for one group, it is a task that requires all hands on deck and as they have said and as they have assured me that this type of consultation, they would have with other leaders so that this country which is ours and for which we have no alternative.”
Describing Obasanjo as a man that all Nigerians love and respect, Akpabio said the former President was, and still remains a factor in shaping the affairs of the country.
“So, we decided that it is important for us to come and consult with him, as he said, pay our respect, discuss the affairs of the nation and then to tap from his wealth of wisdom,” he stated.
Also fielding question, Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliu, added that the issue of Nigeria is beyond partisanship, saying “all patriotic Nigerians must be put on board.”
Meanwhile, Obasanjo has emphasised the need to plan for rainy days to salvage the nation on the economic front, even though he said he was not scared of anything.
Meanwhile, the Lagos PDP said it has cleared seven of the aspirants to contest in the governorship primaries slated for next week.
The party explained that though eight of them collected the nomination forms, only seven are to participate in the primaries.
The party said the governorship candidate of the party in the 2011 general election, Ade Dosunmu, had stepped down to contest for the Lagos Central Senatorial race.
Those cleared to contest are former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; Olujimi Agbaje, Adegbola Dominic, Babatunde Gbadamosi, Deji Doherty, Tokunbo Kamson and Modupe Chukwuneke.
No comments:
Post a Comment