Fury Over FG’s Alleged Use of Hirelings to Harass G7 Governors

While the new date set for talks between President Jonathan and the G-7 governors is still ahead, officials of the presidency may have resorted to smear campaign to force the hands of the reform seeking governors to abandon their cause.
First, was the sealing off of the Adamawa State governor’s Lodge in Maitama Abuja, by the FCT Minister, under the guise that the building was being used to hold political meetings.
Then, the FCT authorities followed this in quick succession with the revocation of a legally acquired plot of land belonging to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state, in the same Maitama neighborhood.
Before the dust settled down over these undemocratic actions by FCT Minister Bala Mohammed, words filtered in that the Bauchi State- born Minister had perfected plans to demolish the new PDP secretariat also in Maitama District.
As expected, both actions instantly drew public anger, accusing the Minister of fighting a proxy war on behalf of Bamanga Tukur’s PDP and President Jonathan.
The Minister, has so far refused the issues personally, rather he has been using low- level ministry Officials to dish out half- truth on the unfolding drama.
Now, insiders are accusing chieftains of the presidency of intensifying their pressure against rebel governors in the Peoples Democratic Party.Sources said for instance“presidency hirelings prompted a governor in North- East to contract the services of a discredited Kaduna -based weekly Newspaper to impugn the integrity of the person of Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state and that of his government.
Dr. Aliyu who is the chairman of the 19 Northern state Governors was particularly targeted because the North – East Governor bears personal grudge against him and he thus found it easy join the campaign against Aliyu. The North –East Governor resents the Chief Servant because he has been scheming to take over the chairmanship of the Northern governors, and has severally been rejected by his colleagues.
Equally, both Bamanga Tukur and President Jonathan are opposed to Governor Aliyu due to his outspoken nature.
Even more ,one source claimed that the Kaduna- based Newspaper chose for the attack on the Niger State governor also bears its own personal grudge against the Chief Servant for refusing to bend government policy as regards placement of advertisements.
Sources said these growing assault on G7 governors is causing a lot of disquiet in the party, further threatening any prospect of reconciliation.