Wednesday 18 September 2013

Why Jonathan can’t run in 2015 - Baraje

 by Turaki A. Hassan
Alh. Kawu Baraje
Mark: I won’t declare any senator’s seat vacant
Senate President David Mark yesterday told the Kawu Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he will not declare any senator’s seat vacant for defecting to the faction.
Speaking when he received the leadership of the New PDP led by Baraje and the group seven “rebel” governors in his office, Mark said: “I have not declared any senator’s seat vacant. I won’t do that and I don’t have the intention of doing that.”
The factional chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, had recently threatened to declare the seat of serving members of the National Assembly vacant for defecting to the Baraje’s faction.
Mark further said: “I am in PDP and I will remain in PDP. I will not like the house to fall on anybody. We want to see it stand erect. We should not bring the crisis to the Senate because we are one family.
“Even if you have a knife in my head, I will stand for justice, fairness and equity. Whatever happens please remain in the PDP, we are one PDP. Don’t pour petrol around the fire but pour water.  I will continue to pour water around the fire. We should not allow the cracks to continue so that lizards and reptiles don’t come in,” the senate president said.
Alhaji Baraje who took time to narrate the genesis of the PDP crisis, accused Bamanga of being dictatorial and destabilising the party since he became chairman.
The New PDP chairman insisted that they have vowed to stop President Jonathan from seeking second term in 2015 which he described as “third term.”
“Before Bamanga Tukur, PDP was very stable and there we internal cohesion. In the next two weeks more governors will join us. We are not fighting for ourselves but for the sustainable of democracy. I don’t think the PDP can win election at any level now if we continue like this,” he said.
Some of the demands listed by Baraje include: The lifting of suspension of governor Ameachi, fresh national convention, all PDP governors be allowed to control their states’ party structures, recognise Ameachi as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Adamawa State PDP executives loyal to governor Nyako be brought back, Bamanga Tukur be removed as chairman, strict adherence to the party’s constitution and no second term for president Jonathan.
He also blamed President Jonathan for the crisis because his alleged refusal to listen the various complains raised against Tukur’s illegalities.
The G7 governors who were present include Murtala Nyako, Adamawa, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Niger, Aliyu Wamako Sokoto, Abdulfah Ahmed, Kwara, Sule Lamido Jigawa, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso Kano, Rotimi Ameachi Rivers.
Other members of the Baraje’s team include the National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Deputy National Chairman Sam-Sam Jaja among others.

DailyTrust

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