Amidst intrigues and unending crises rocking the ruling
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan appears set to roll
out his campaign for the 2015 Presidential election, as his inner caucus
members have decided that “silence for too long” will be inimical to their
principal’s ambition.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan appears set to roll
out his campaign for the 2015 Presidential election, as his inner caucus
members have decided that “silence for too long” will be inimical to their
principal’s ambition.
Against this backdrop, Daily Independent learnt that the President’s men, led by
Vice President Namadi Sambo, have set up a “closely-guarded team” with only
trusted associates of the President in the know.
Vice President Namadi Sambo, have set up a “closely-guarded team” with only
trusted associates of the President in the know.
Other members of the team, it
was gathered, include former Works Minister and the President’s favourite for
the position of PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Tony Anenih, former Chairman of
the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bode George, and four PDP
Governors, two of whom are from the South-South, and one each from the North
East and North Central.
was gathered, include former Works Minister and the President’s favourite for
the position of PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Tony Anenih, former Chairman of
the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bode George, and four PDP
Governors, two of whom are from the South-South, and one each from the North
East and North Central.
To firm up the arrangement in
the ‘Jonathan for 2015 Presidency Project’, Ondo State Governor, Olusegun
Mimiko, is also being reached out to, it was reliably gathered.
the ‘Jonathan for 2015 Presidency Project’, Ondo State Governor, Olusegun
Mimiko, is also being reached out to, it was reliably gathered.
It is already planned that
Mimiko will take over the affairs of the PDP in the South West, just as he is
being considered to ‘anchor’ the President’s re-election campaign in the
region. This is, however, after he must have returned to his former party after
his swearing-in for a second term next week.
Mimiko will take over the affairs of the PDP in the South West, just as he is
being considered to ‘anchor’ the President’s re-election campaign in the
region. This is, however, after he must have returned to his former party after
his swearing-in for a second term next week.
Sambo and members of the team
have perfected plans to “launch out” before the middle of the year to avoid
“negative consequences that may follow unnecessary delay”, a competent source
told Daily
Independent in
confidence.
have perfected plans to “launch out” before the middle of the year to avoid
“negative consequences that may follow unnecessary delay”, a competent source
told Daily
Independent in
confidence.
Jonathan has consistently told
the nation that his take on the 2015 Presidential election can only be unveiled
in 2014.
the nation that his take on the 2015 Presidential election can only be unveiled
in 2014.
But, according to a source who
pleaded anonymity, the President’s men decided to “play smart” knowing that
their boss is a “slow decider,” even as they were propelled by the on-going
merger arrangement in the opposition camp which has coincided with the cuurent
bickering within the ruling party.
pleaded anonymity, the President’s men decided to “play smart” knowing that
their boss is a “slow decider,” even as they were propelled by the on-going
merger arrangement in the opposition camp which has coincided with the cuurent
bickering within the ruling party.
This development is coming on
the heels of reports that loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo,
while vowing to pursue their “humiliation to the highest level of the party,”
are already opening discussions with the leadership of the newly formed All
Progressives Congress (APC).
the heels of reports that loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo,
while vowing to pursue their “humiliation to the highest level of the party,”
are already opening discussions with the leadership of the newly formed All
Progressives Congress (APC).
One source said Sambo’s
meeting with members of the G-84 of the PDP NEC late last week was his first
assignment since assuming the role of the President’s re-election project.
meeting with members of the G-84 of the PDP NEC late last week was his first
assignment since assuming the role of the President’s re-election project.
Bode George was equally
assigned to return home and unite his zone in the South West.
assigned to return home and unite his zone in the South West.
It was unclear whether last
Thursday’s meeting of the leadership of the PDP from the South West with the
President was in line with his re-election bid.
Thursday’s meeting of the leadership of the PDP from the South West with the
President was in line with his re-election bid.
“From all indications, it
appears that silence for too long means a lot of negative things to us, it is
inimical to our interest as a group; so that’s the sole reason the Vice
President himself has taken up the project as his, and that tells you that the
Presidency is one indivisible entity.
appears that silence for too long means a lot of negative things to us, it is
inimical to our interest as a group; so that’s the sole reason the Vice
President himself has taken up the project as his, and that tells you that the
Presidency is one indivisible entity.
“For now, the number two
citizen is closely guiding the project with only trusted associates of Mr.
President having knowledge of what is going on at the moment as far as what you
are asking is concerned.
citizen is closely guiding the project with only trusted associates of Mr.
President having knowledge of what is going on at the moment as far as what you
are asking is concerned.
“But I can tell you
categorically that it will work when the time comes.”
categorically that it will work when the time comes.”
Commenting on the necessity
for that kind of committee when the President himself has made it clear that he
will only comment in 2014, the source said it was very vital, just as he
dismissed the APC with a wave of the hand.
for that kind of committee when the President himself has made it clear that he
will only comment in 2014, the source said it was very vital, just as he
dismissed the APC with a wave of the hand.
“Right now, you can see how
people, including some PDP members, are deluding themselves with the APC which
is going to face more challenges than the PDP is currently facing.
people, including some PDP members, are deluding themselves with the APC which
is going to face more challenges than the PDP is currently facing.
“We are not bothered at all
because at the appropriate time when Governor Mimiko returns to the PDP, he
will normalise the region; he has rattled them before and he will do it better
next time.”
because at the appropriate time when Governor Mimiko returns to the PDP, he
will normalise the region; he has rattled them before and he will do it better
next time.”
Special Adviser to the
President on Political Matters, Ahmed Ali Gulak, confirmed that Mimiko might
join the PDP later, but declined further details. “We are discussing with
Governor Mimiko, I’m sure things will work out, let’s leave it at that,” he
said.
President on Political Matters, Ahmed Ali Gulak, confirmed that Mimiko might
join the PDP later, but declined further details. “We are discussing with
Governor Mimiko, I’m sure things will work out, let’s leave it at that,” he
said.
All the same, the move by
Obasanjo loyalists is spearheaded by a former Governor and a Senator in the
last session of the National Assembly.
Obasanjo loyalists is spearheaded by a former Governor and a Senator in the
last session of the National Assembly.
On Friday, the South West
congress of the PDP was nullified as well as that of Ogun State.
congress of the PDP was nullified as well as that of Ogun State.
The development came in the
wake of a suit instituted by an anti-Obasanjo PDP chieftain, Buruji Kashamu,
whose legal action saw to the exit of tNational Secretary.
wake of a suit instituted by an anti-Obasanjo PDP chieftain, Buruji Kashamu,
whose legal action saw to the exit of tNational Secretary.
“We are talking; we cannot be
humiliated in this manner and above all, a man whose action and inaction,
whether good or bad, made the present government cannot be humiliated and we
keep quite.
humiliated in this manner and above all, a man whose action and inaction,
whether good or bad, made the present government cannot be humiliated and we
keep quite.
“It cannot happen in this
country; if we are not recognised in the party, we will take our destiny into
our hands and forge ahead and if need be, we will ‘return home’. I am sure you
know what that means.
country; if we are not recognised in the party, we will take our destiny into
our hands and forge ahead and if need be, we will ‘return home’. I am sure you
know what that means.
“In politics, only permanent
interests are paramount, there are no permanent friends or enemies; and for
those who think they can take the Yoruba PDP for granted, they will be shocked
when the time comes.
interests are paramount, there are no permanent friends or enemies; and for
those who think they can take the Yoruba PDP for granted, they will be shocked
when the time comes.
“We are waiting for just a
word from Baba whom we have given a few days to think about what has happened
to us,” a former Governor said.
word from Baba whom we have given a few days to think about what has happened
to us,” a former Governor said.
Source: Daily Independent
