2015: Jonathan refuses Akpabio’s choice of Udom Emmanuel – The Nation newspaper

Governor Godswill Akpabio’s bid to force his former SSG, Mr. Udom Emmanuel on the people as his successor may have finally reached a dead end, if this news report published in The Nation newspaper is anything to go by. According to the report, a  “source quoted the President as being very blunt, telling the governors (Akpabio and co.) that since most of them are completing their two terms in office, he would be the one to work with their successors.”

Well, needless to say more. Just read the report after the cut…..

 

A Presidential intervention to stem the crises of succession in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states has failed to do the magic.

President Goodluck Jonathan at a meeting at the Villa in Abuja warned the governors elected on the party’s platform against fielding unpopular candidates.

He said such a development could affect the party’s fortune in 2015 as PDP may lose in some states.

But, the governors left the meeting, insisting on having a say on who their successors should be.

The President and the governors also agreed to wait till former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari emerges the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before coming up with “appropriate response” to issues the aspirant raised last week.

Gen. Buhari lashed the ruling party for “destroying the economy and failing to unite and secure the country”.

The President, the governors and PDP leadership are to meet soon on how to tackle the challenges associated with the governors aspiring to be senators.

According to a source, who spoke in confidence, although the President said there was nothing  bad in the governors having interest in their successors, they should put the party’s interest and survival above personal issues.

The source quoted the President as being very blunt, telling the governors that since most of them are completing their two terms in office, he would be the one to work with their successors.

“Jonathan said: ‘I cannot take chances; the PDP cannot take chances. We are interested in those who will be governors in 2015. You should not field unpopular candidates or else the party will lose.’

“The President said if the PDP were circumspect in 2011, the ruling party would not have experienced the defection of five governors to the opposition party.”

The source quoted Jonathan as saying: ‘The five governors embarrassed me because I had no say on how they emerged in 2011.’

“At a point, the President recalled how the five governors walked out on him during the National Convention in Abuja which led to the crisis in the PDP. He said the party does not want to produce such rebellious governors in 2015.

“He said you can never rule out the capacity of a sitting governor.”

Another source said the President spoke on the need to be on guard to check the opposition from benefiting from any nomination crisis in PDP.

The second source said: “The President said the party must field candidates who can win elections. He said: ‘I want results; the party wants numbers to deny APC of winning 25 per cent of the votes anywhere with the right candidates.’

The meeting was said to have considered the consequences of the declaration of former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to vie for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A governor, who tried to underplay the fears of PDP on Gen. Buhari, said: “We looked at Buhari’s declaration jokingly because he has not emerged as a candidate.

“The outcome of APC primaries will determine the appropriate response or strategy to Buhari’s candidature.”

The President, the governors and the PDP will still “meet on the senatorial aspirations of the governors at another session”.

But after the meeting Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said: “We discussed our party and the primaries that will soon come. We looked at how to fortify our party to avoid rancour or in fighting to enable us do very well both in the primaries and general elections in 2015.”

Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema said the meeting evaluated strategies for a successful conduct of the party’s forthcoming primaries.

Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari spoke on the situation in his state.

He said: “The political situation in Adamawa is very stable, I can assure you. The people are very happy. You know, the common man appreciates when justice is done at all times. They are very happy; you can do your independent verification.”

“All the reported noise in some quarters that heavens will fall because of my swearing in, nothing like that has happened. I thank the people of Adamawa for their massive support and we promise to keep faith with them,’’ he said

Governors at the meeting were Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi).

Others are Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), and Umar Garba (Acting Governor of Taraba), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Jonah Jang (Plateau) and the deputy governors of Kogi and Nasarawa states.

Many governors are faced with stiff opposition in their states over their choice of successors.

In Akwa ibom State, Governor Godswill Akpabio is believed to be backing former Secretary to the State Government  Udom Emmanuel but another former SSG, Umana Okon Umana, and others are opposed to him.

Delta State Governor Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is believed to be supporting Anthony Obuh. Contenders like Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, House of Representatives member Ndudi Elumelu, Chief Obaisi Omo-Agege and former minister Godsday Orubebe won’t agree.

The plot by some leaders of the PDP in Rivers State to put forward former Minister of State Nyesom Wike is creating ripples in the party.

In Ebonyi, Governor Martin Elechi is pushing for former Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu, but some aspirants are unhappy.

Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has pitched his tent with House of Representatives member Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi but Senator Ayogo Eze is kicking.