Tukur’s removal to save PDP, Niger gov insists

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

Governor of Niger state, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has insisted that the decision of the G-7 to remove former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, was designed to save the party.

Aliyu’s position was contained in a signed press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Israel A. Ebije. The governor said his call on Tukur to always avail himself at all time for the PDP has been doctored from its main focus aimed at encouraging unity and commitment of party members.

He said the fact that PDP needs to properly stabilize does not mean it is not by far better than it was under Tukur’s leadership. He said the party must however be encouraged to remain committed as the 2015 election beckons.

Aliyu stated that his position offers no justification for the erstwhile national chairman on the impunity, disregard for due process that tore the party apart while he was national chairman.

“I don’t think it is wrong for me to call on Bamanga Tukur to remain committed to the PDP regardless of what transpired before and after he was removed as PDP national chairman. My position was not meant to offer him any form of justification but to spur party members to work harder towards excellent performance at the polls in 2015. “

“Let me once again insist that the impunity within the PDP leadership would have wrecked the party. Today, the party has stabilized, but we must all join hands to ensure that some challenges within the party are addressed to make it more formidable”.

The Niger state governor said politics should be about democratisation of ideas, institution and policies towards getting the best out of the people. He said it would also help in getting the best in delivery of democratic dividends and not about justifications for doing the wrong thing.

He maintained that the height of impunity within the party under the Tukur led PDP was such that could have degenerated to serious civil malaise. He was however thankful that peace has been restored to the party after he was removed.

“We had to go round the country to consult with well meaning Nigerians on the way forward for our party. At a time, the problem was not going to affect the PDP alone but signs of a national problem was beginning to come up.

Those whom we consulted were therefore unanimous that the leadership of the PDP must be changed. Thankfully, the party has since bounced back from the brinks,” he stated.