Few hours after the Peoples Democratic Party welcomed the ruling of an Abuja court legitimising the Bamanga Tukur-led leadership of the party , some leaders of the “rebel’’ groups including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,Niger state Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and Governor Murtala Nyako amongs others held secret meeting in Yola on the possible new line of action.
By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz/Yola
For now, there seems to be no end to the lingering PDP crisis as the warring factions are yet to sheath their swords with startling revelations indicating that the fight is just beginning. Already the ‘’Rebels’’ and their backers have begun changing goal post. Few hours after the Peoples Democratic Party welcomed the Friday ruling of an Abuja court legitimising the Bamanga Tukur-led leadership of the party and asked all Nigerians to treat any persons referring to themselves as separatist leaders of the party as criminals, some leaders of the ‘’rebel’’ groups including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,Niger state Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and Governor Murtala Nyako amongs others held a secret meeting in Yola,Adamawa state capital on the possible new lines of action.
The meeting held at the Yola residence of Atiku, came a few hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the Kawu Baraje-led faction of the PDP from parading itself as the leadership of the party.
The three politicians are key members of Baraje’s faction, which is fiercely opposed to a fresh ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
Disturbed by what the group calls, “unseen forces’’, it has now resolved to take different approach and strategy which include behind the scenes talks and consultations which according to rebel members, “is yielding positive result by recruiting more members.’’
The others known as rebel governors are: Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Rotimi Ameachi (Rivers); Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano) Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto).
Atiku had earlier held discussions with his associates in the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), a new political party with which he is believed to have a strong affinity. The PDM group led by its state chairman, Ibrahim Mijinyawa had suggested to the former vice
president several options that could be adopted ahead of 2015.
Sources privy at the meeting revealed that top on the agenda among other things, is how to form a formidable force to check the alleged re-election ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
‘’It was agreed that should President Jonathan declare his interest in the 2015 presidential race, northern leaders should mobilise forces and stop him,’’ a source has said.
Governor Nyako had earlier openly hosted a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which many considered a pointer to where he would be pitching his political tent. Just as his cabinet member, Aminu Iyawa said President Goodluck Jonathan, is not eligible to
contest in 2015 as he is now serving his second and last term. Iyawa, said that constitutionally Jonathan who was elected with late Yar’adua on a joint ticket is serving his second time. According to him all those urging Jonathan to contest in 2015 were misleading him.
