As the National Executive Council (NEC) of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party reconvenes at the party’s Wadata House headquarters today, stakeholders may have agreed on a candidate to be presented to Council for endorsement.
President Goodluck Jonathan late Sunday night conveyed a crucial meeting of party chieftains to deliberate and agree on a particular candidate ahead of NEC. Indication emerged after the meeting that former Bauchi governor, Adamu Muazu may have been picked as Tukur’s successor.
The meeting held at the First Lady Wing of the Presidential Villa, was attended by all the PDP governors, the leadership of the National Assembly, key members of the National Working Committee and few key members.
In attendance were Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Principal Officers of both the Senate and House of Representatives, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim and PDP Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus.
The Governors were: Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Umar Dakingari (Kebbi), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Martins Elechi (Ebonyi), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Gabriel Suswam (Benue).
Others were Godswil Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Ibrahim Dakwambo (Gombe), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Garba Umar (Taraba acting Governor) Adamwa Deputy Governor, Bala Ngilari, in the absence of Governor Muritala Nyako who has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Prompt News Online recalls that the position of the PDP national chairman became vacant following the resignation of the erstwhile chairman, Bamanga Tukur. He had been compelled to throw in the towel on Wednesday.
Sequel to President Jonathan’s presentation of Tukur’s resignation letter to NEC last Thursday, the Council unanimously ratified it having been earlier ratified by the National Caucus and the Board of Trustees. Consequently, NEC agreed to reconvene on Monday to pick a new chairman.
No fewer than five candidates are said to be jostling for the plum position of PDP national chairmanship. They include Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, former Bauchi Governor Adamu Muazu, Dr Babayo Shehu, Abba Aji and Abubakar Mahdi, both former Presidential Advisers.
On Friday, President Jonathan had consulted with the Governors from the north east from where the new chairman is expected to be picked.
Present at that closed door meeting were Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Ibrahim Dakwambo (Gombe), Garba Umar (Taraba) and Bala Ngilari (Adamawa Deputy Governor).
