The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party was
rattled by the meeting of the leadership of the All
Progressive Congress and some of the aggrieved
governors of the Peoples Democratic Party in Sokoto,
Sokoto State on Tuesday. The APC leaders, who were in Sokoto for the
inauguration of the Sokoto State University , where the
meeting was held, were a former Head of State, Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and a former Governor of
Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Members of the New PDP who were in attendance
were the governor of the state, Alhaji Aliyu
Wamakko; Governors Rabiu Kwankwanso (Kano);
Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); and Sule Lamido (Jigawa). Three of the aggrieved governors, Aliyu Babangida
(Niger), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Abdulfatah
Ahmed (Kwara), were absent at the event. However, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal, was at the
event, where no Federal Government official was
present. Investigations by our correspondent showed that the
meeting of the APC leaders with the rebel governors
was a topic for discussion among members of the
National Working Committee of the PDP on
Wednesday. A member of the committee, who spoke with our
correspondent on condition of anonymity, said it was
almost certain that the rebel governors were out of
the ruling party. He said the NWC of the party was surprised that the
rebel governors were no longer hiding their disdain
for the party. He said though the issue was not on the agenda of the
Wednesday’s meeting, the matter was discussed
informally among the NWC members. The source said, “Though the gathering was about
opening of a university, why was the event
dominated by those who are against us? “We have been hearing that these governors are
planning to defect to the APC. Maybe that was why
they invited the leaders of the party and used the
opportunity to concretise their discussions. We are
watching.” Reacting to the issue, the Deputy National Publicity
Secretary of the party, Mr. Ibrahim Jalo, told our
correspondent that the party believed that the
gathering had no political undertone. Jalo said the party believed what Wamakko said,
which was that the event was for the inauguration of
the state university. He said, “The event was a mere gathering. We also
believe that it was, according to the governor, meant
to open the state university as stated by the governor. “Apart from that, we believe that these people are
free to meet and discuss as guaranteed by the
Constitution. The Constitution guarantees freedom of
association.” However, the party said it had directed party leaders
in zones, states, local government areas and wards to
establish disciplinary committees in accordance with
its constitution. A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the
party, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the action was in tandem
with the “focused determination of the national
leadership of the PDP to ensure discipline and loyalty
at all levels.” source: www.informng.com/apc-leaders-rebel-govs-meeting-rattles-pdp/ |
