Old age affecting Tukur — New PDP

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Mr. Kawu Baraje has said old age is affecting the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur. It said for calling governors and others in the New PDP rascals, Tukur was not being fair to them and others. Tukur had, while speaking in Cross River State on Thursday, said those promoting the New PDP were not sincere and that they were rascals. The governors, who are members of the faction, are Sule Lamido (Jigawa State, Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara). Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, is also a member of the group. The National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Mr. Chukwuemeka Eze, told our correspondent in Abuja on Friday, that those who elected Tukur into office must be regretting their action by now. He said it was unfortunate that Tukur could use such uncouth language on a group that compromises a former vice-president and state governors. Eze said, “If Tukur could use such uncouth language on a group that parades a former vice- president, over 14 state governors, over 100 members of the National Assembly and some prominent Nigerians, people can now understand why we want him out from the office he is claiming to occupy because old age has finally dimmed his level of reasoning. “We wish to apologise to Nigerians for electing such an intolerant fellow to such a highly respected office meant for democrats and people with sound minds.” Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Mr. Kobis Aris, has said unless Tukur is removed from office, it would be difficult to restore peace to the party. Aris, who spoke in a telephone interview with our correspondent, said Tukur, with his utterances and actions, had shown that he could not lead the party. He said, “It will be difficult to bring peace into the party, with Tukur still there as national chairman. His utterances are unfriendly while his comments are antagonistic. “Being a father and with his age, he ought to speak with some level of decorum. But instead of using all these as advantage, he is using them negatively. He is doing the party more harm than good.”