Bamanga Tukur begs for forgiveness as PDP Govs meet

Bamanga Tukur begs for forgiveness as
PDP Govs meet
on december 19, 2013 at 12:22 pm in news
Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Chairman of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- GOVERNORS elected on the platform of the
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will today meet in
Abuja, the nation’s capital city, with the lingering
political quagmire in the party as well as planned
removal of its national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga
Tukur topping the agenda.
Vanguard gathered that the PDP governors meeting
which will be a follow up to the one held penultimat
Sunday, will also discuss the defection of five of its
governors who operated under the aegis of G-7 into
the All Progressives Congress, APC as top on the
agenda.
The meeting which will take place at the Akwa Ibom
State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, will be
attended by the 18 governors of the PDP, just as it
will be presided over by Akwa-Ibom state governor
and Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, (PDPGF),
Godswill Akpabio.
It will be recalled that the governors at the end of
their meeting penultimate Sunday had resolved that
Bamanga Tukur must go if there must be peace in
the party, even as the Governors at the end of the
meeting vowed that it will be the only solution to the
political logjam in the PDP against the backdrop that
since he became chairman of the party in 2012, the
party has not seen peace because of what it
termed, his Administrative style which does not go
in tandem with members of PDP.
Meanwhile, as the governors meet today, the PDP
national Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has
pleaded with all the aggrieved governors , members
of the National Assembly and other stakeholders
and members to learn to forgive him and one
another irrespective of the gravity of the offence or
provocation.
Tukur who begged the PDP governors that he has
extended the hand of fellowship to them said, ” To
our Governors of PDP extraction, I extend my right
hand of fellowship, cooperation, peace and love to
you all in the interest of our great Party. I further
entreat Nigerians to eschew bitterness, rancor and
acrimony in their social, political and economic
dealing with fellow Nigerians.
“As one of the living fathers of this great country, I
believe as elders our duty to our children and
younger generation is to use our wisdom to show
them the right path to selfless service to the nation
and commitment to the enthronement of peace, love
and unity. For our nation and our leaders can only
succeed and thrive in an atmosphere of peace and
love.”
In a statement by his Special Assistant, Media,
Prince Oliver Okpala, Tukur who urged party
members to in the spirit of Christmas, embrace
peace and love for one another said, “as the
Christmas draw nearer signifying the birth of Christ
according to the Catholic Calendar and doctrine, I
wish to once more as a father and elder statesman
of our dear country offer my good counsel, wisdom
and advice for national unity, peace, love and
coexistence.
“While wishing Nigerians mostly Christians the best
of the Christmas festivities and prosperous new
year may I, utilize this opportunity to stress the
urgent need for Nigerians to use this period to seek
the face and intervention of God in institutionalizing
brotherly care and peace both in our polity and dear
country Nigeria.
“I call on all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion
or ethnic affiliation to henceforth see their fellow
Nigerians as their brothers and sisters belonging to
one corporate entity known as Nigeria.
“I further entreat Nigerians to eschew bitterness,
rancor and acrimony in their social, political and
economic dealing with fellow Nigerians.
“As one of the living fathers of this great country, I
believe as elders our duty to our children and
younger generation is to use our wisdom to show
them the right path to selfless service to the nation
and commitment to the enthronement of peace, love
and unity. For our nation and our leaders can only
succeed and thrive in an atmosphere of peace and
love.
“I urge our leaders and Nigerians at large to
emulate the shining leadership qualities of
tolerance, forgiveness and accommodation of late
South African President, Dr. Nelson Mandela who as
President brought peace and harmony to South
Africans irrespective of tribe, religion, colour or
race.
“Let us place service to the nation first before
personal or parochial interest. Let our desire be to
make Nigeria greater than we met it and let our
guiding principle and goal be for the unity of Nigeria
as a peaceful corporate entity.
“Let us learn to forgive one another no matter the
gravity of the offence or provocation. It should be
noted that my cardinal 3Rs immediately I took over
the mantle of leadership of PDP as the National
Chairman centered principally on Reconciliation,
Reformation and Rebuilding, all based on Equity and
Justice.
“To our Governors of PDP extraction, I extend my
right hand of fellowship, cooperation, peace and love
to you all in the interest of our great Party and the
government at the centre competently captained by
our beloved President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
whose reformation agenda has given hope succor
and salvation to Nigerians.
“Our Governors, I salute your courage and
doggedness in the provision of abundant
democratic dividends to your people in your
different states in line with the PDP Constitution and
Manifesto.
“You are our eyes and trusted allies who carry to
the grassroot level our party commitment towards
alleviating the sufferings of our people and making
Nigerian an egalitarian society.
“To you all, our Distinguished Senators, Members of
the House of Representatives and States
Assemblies, I thank you and also extend my hand of
fellowship to you while leaving my doors wide open
for exchange of ideas, consultations and political
activities aimed at taking our beloved party to
greater heights.
“As an elder statesman, I also appreciate some of
those Governors who are not of PDP extraction but
are working closely with the President and PDP
Governors to ensure the unity and progress of our
dear nation, Nigeria.
“Once more I wave the white handkerchief to you
all signifying peace, love and unity to all Nigerians
and our dear country and also pray God in his
wisdom and infinite mercy to help protect our dear
country Nigeria and her citizens. Happy Christmas
and a Prosperous New Year in advance.