The Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee have continued to insist adamantly that Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur must be replaced with immediate effect. The NWC is hoping that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party will pass a vote of no confidence in the Chairman when it meets on Thursday.
Tukur has been accused of several blatant infractions and is being blamed for the sustained crisis in the party which has led to the defection of 5 Governors and several members of the legislative to leading opposition party, All Progressives Congress.
Some of the allegations brought against Tukur include:
- Running a parallel NWC and leaving official members in the dark
- Being out of circulation for up to 2 weeks at an instance
- Holding Party meetings at his residence
- Mass defection of Governors and legislators to APC
Tukur has reportedly been running from pillar to post to salvage his position after the NWC members leveled their allegations against him at a meeting where President Jonathan was present this weekend.
Tukur supporters have reportedly said that the NWC members are being bribed by Governor Akpabio to the tune of $300,000 each in order to secure his removal.
However, a source in the NWC said, “The degeneration of the crisis in the party is obvious.One does not need bribe to say the truth. Are they saying the G-7 governors who raised concerns about the party were also bribed?
“No one has collected any bribe in the NWC. We are all men of integrity. Some people are just desperate to keep Tukur in charge for their selfish end. The reality is that PDP cannot win election with Tukur in charge.
“PDP is getting divided on daily basis. It is more worrisome because there is no leadership structure in place. Tukur is running a one-man show, he does not carry NWC along.”
The source said there was no going back on the decision to oust Tukur at the upcoming NEC meeting, where a majority vote from the 94 members is all that is needed to remove the Chairman.
Tukur is reportedly involved in a campaign to save his career.
A source told newsmen from Nation, “Tukur is banking on the president, the first lady and some governors for survival.
“As we speak, he has been reaching out to NEC members to correct the wrong impression about him by NWC members. He is trying to secure the support of at least two- thirds of NEC members who are about 94.
“He has a 50-50 per cent chance because the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party. Once the NEC passes a vote of no confidence in him on Thursday, he has to step aside.”