Patience Jonathan meddles in PDP crisis
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.
Source: Legit.ng
