PDP CRISIS: Patience Jonathan Threatens Governors Over Tukur

The First
Lady,
Mrs.
Patience
Jonathan
has
continued
to meddle
in the
affairs of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), as it has emerged that she has been
haranguing the party's governors into sparing the
embattled National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji
Bamanga Tukur.
Tukur has been blamed for much of the crises that
have bedevilled the party, leading to calls for his
removal by the governors.
His removal was also one of the key demands of
the seven aggrieved governors of the party, five of
whom have defected to the All Progressives
Congress (APC).
Their departure notwithstanding, the remaining
governors of PDP have continued to push for his
ouster on the grounds that it would usher peace and
reconciliation in the party.
However, in the bid to stop his removal, the first
lady, has in recent days been summoning the
governors of the party and mounting pressure on
them to drop the idea of Tukur's sack.
It was gathered that some of the governors she has
met with include Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris
Wada, with businesswoman, Ms. Bola Shagaya, in
attendance.
Sources said that at the meeting, the first lady made
it clear that the governor should throw his support
behind Tukur, failing which she would use her
influence to ensure that he does not get the ticket of
the party for a second term. Mrs. Jonathan
extended her campaign to the Akwa Ibom Governor,
Godswill Akpabio, and his Abia State counterpart,
Theodore Orji.
When she met with them individually, the source
said, she informed them that should they insist on
Tukur's ouster, she would impede their efforts to
determine who their successors will be.
They said: "The first lady is very determined to
ensure Tukur remains the chairman of the party, as
she is of the view that his sack could make her
husband, the president, vulnerable. She also does
not have confidence that if Tukur is removed, there
is a guaranty that his successor will protect the
interest of the president as the elections draw near.
The governors are expected to meet with the
president today after the National Economic Council
(NEC) meeting to insist on Tukur's ouster.
Source: ThisDay