Tukur, New PDP renew hostilities over botched meeting with Jonathan

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga Tukur and the leadership of the New Peoples Democratic Party have resumed their political battle over the postponement of a proposed meeting on Sunday between President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP rebel governors.
The seven aggrieved governors are Rabiu Kwakwanso(Kano); Aliyu Wamakko(Sokoto); Rotimi  Amaechi (Rivers); Sule Lamido(Jigawa); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Abdulfatai Ahmed(Kwara); and Murtala Nyako(Adamawa).
The National Secretary of the factional group, Chukwuemeka Eze, had accused Tukur of blocking Sunday’s meeting between the President and the governors. However, the PDP chairman had denied the allegation.
The New PDP said, “Tukur has also told whoever cares to listen that the proposed peace meeting of President Jonathan and the G-7 governors cannot see the light of the day as long as he is the national chairman of  the PDP.
“Instructively and shockingly, the meeting which was scheduled to be held last (Sunday) night was put off at the last minute by Mr. President, who is the PDP National Leader, despite publicly announcing that he was fit again and set to resume work last night upon his return from his London trip.”
But  Tukur   told the   New PDP that  he was  not part of  its members problems.
He advised  the members  not to make him the arrowhead of their political war.
Tukur, through his media aide, Mr. Oliver Okpala, said  in Abuja that the meeting  between the rebel governors and  Jonathan was  purely an initiative of the Presidency.
He said, “It is wrong and completely unreasonable for any right thinking person to accuse Tukur of having a hand in the deadlock of the meeting because it is a presidential initiative and not an NWC affair, where Tukur presides.
“Therefore, there is no way he can get involved or frustrate such a presidential initiative. The so-called factional members should desist from insulting   the integrity of Tukur, who is a nationalist.
“Tukur is not part of their political problem and therefore should not be seen as the arrowhead of their political fight. The earlier these people retreated from their rascality, the better for them.” – Punch.