Strong indications emerged yesterday that the
Peoples Democratic Party is trying to woo the recently-released Major
Hamzat Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of
State, Gen. Sani Abacha, to win Yobe and Borno states from the All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP).
The President and his strategists have also launched a fresh plot to win more states in the North-West in 2015.
It was learnt that the permutations of the presidency is that the
control of some states in the North-West and North- East could leave the
North divided in 2015.
The presidency was said to be trying to
adopt the strategy of ex-President Shehu Shagari who in 1982 granted
state pardon to the late Biafran leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu
Ojukwu.
The pardon had enabled the defunct ruling National Party of
Nigeria(NPN) to make inroads into the South-East which was then
controlled by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe-led Nigerian Peoples Party(NPP).
Investigation also indicated that PDP is trying to use Al-Mustapha
leverage to checkmate its rebellious governors like Rabiu
Kwankwaso(Kano), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Babangida
Aliyu (Niger); and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).
A reliable source said:
“The plot is a two-dimension type. The PDP wants to bank on
Al-Mustapha’s image to capture Yobe, Borno and Zamfara being controlled
by ANPP.
“The renewed political romance between President Goodluck
Jonathan and ex-Governor Ahmed Yerima of Zamfara State seems to be
pointing to this desperate bid by the President and his strategists to
make inroads into the North-East and North-West.
“Yerima had taken some marabouts to the President some weeks ago to “pray” for Jonathan’s good health and 2015 agenda.
“Besides, you will recall that a few months ago, Yerima and ex-Governor
Modu Ali Sheriff met with the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji
Bamanga Tukur, in Abuja. So, the plot was conceived a few months back,
but Al-Mustapha might be used to crystallize it.
“The larger picture
is to change the political tempo in the North by bringing Al-Mustapha
into the PDP to reduce the influence of some out-of-presidency favoured
Northern governors like Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wammako ( Sokoto);
Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); and Murtala Nyako
(Adamawa).”
The source, however, said the prime targets of Al-Mustapha’s deal are Yobe and Borno states.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that some PDP chieftains
have already made a proposal that the way to end the domination of the
ANPP in Yobe and Borno states is to make Al-Mustapha the arrowhead of
the party’s plot.
Findings showed that the Minister of State for
Finance, Alhaji Yerima, had allegedly met with Al-Mustapha and hosted a
dinner in honour of the ex-CSO.
Checks indicated that the PDP had
initiated secret talks with Al-Mustapha on why he should team up with
the party to improve the lot of his people in Yobe.
Although it was
unclear as at press time on Al-Mustapha’s disposition, it was gathered
that some PDP bigwigs have already penciled down the ex-CSO for the
governorship slot as its automatic candidate.
The leakage of the plot has created a cold war between Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State and the Minister of Finance.
It was learnt that the minister was allegedly shunned by the governor
on Tuesday when he brought some presidential relief materials to
Damaturu (Yobe State capital) for victims of Boko Haram.
The cold
shoulder rubbished plans by the minister and the presidential delegation
to make a political gain from the relief materials.
A highly-placed
source said: “ The PDP is determined to control Borno and Yobe states.
This is why Al-Mustapha’s option is on its card at present.
“But Al-Mustapha has not made any commitment to join partisan politics or not.
“The Governor of Yobe State is, however, not taking the plot lightly
leading to a cold war between him and the Minister of State for Finance.
“I think other Northern political leaders and governors are still studying the situation.”
Source: The Nation
