The battle for the chairmanship of the ruling PDP has taken a new turn as Bamanga Tukur, the candidate widely believed to be President Goodluck Jonathan’s candidate has been voted outing at the North East Zonal Congress held in Bauchi State.Dr Musa Babayo, former acting national secretary of the party got 14 votes while Bamanga got 2 votes.This development is seen as a political humiliation for Presidnt Jonathan who is believed to be seeking to reward Tukur for his role in the G-20 prior to the 2011 elections.Also it is believed Jonathan wants an ally he can trust in the light of the political battle ahead.
Officials of the presidency have repeatedly denied any hints that the president is supporting any candidate.An insider told Newsdiaryonline that the “Tukur crowd may have been dropping Jonathan’s name just to bamboozle people into supporting him.” But that trick has failed now.
Newsdiaryonline learnt that the 2015 presidential ambitions of the governors from the zone may have been a vital factor in Tukur’s defeat.Despite his claims to the contrary, even Murtala Nyako , aka Baba Mai mangoro, the Adamawa state governor is believed to have worked against Tukur.It is widely believed that Tukur’s emergence may hinder his Nyako’s presidential ambition.Bauchi state Governor Isa Yuguda also has his presidential ambition on track ,among others.
There are those who believe that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who is known to be eyeing the 2015 presidential race may be the major power that has worked effectively to stop Tukur.But a source in the Atiku camp told Newsdiaryonline that Atiku has travelled out of the country.He vehemently denied Atiku’s involvement in Tukur’s ouster.He said, “Atiku is not even expected back into the country until the eve of the convention.Our position is that whoever emerges as PDP chairman ,Atiku will work with him”
Sources said Tukur did not partake in the ward and state congresses of the party, a clear sign of arrogance ,over- reliance on incumbency factor and /or his lack of touch with the grassroots.
