Even in the face of perceived power tussle between the Rivers state governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and the Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio over the latter’s new status as chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday in Kano declared that all is well with the duo.
This is against the backdrop of insinuations that Governor Amaechi who is the chairman, Governors’ Forum, felt threatened at Akpabio’s new portfolio, seen as a ploy by the presidency to curb Governor Amaechi’s influence.
Speaking to newsmen at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Turku said there was nothing wrong for his office to create a new forum for the PDP governors, describing the step as part of his reforms agenda.
“The understanding of the public on the Governor Amaechi and Governor Akpabio issue may be a mistake. Governor Amaechi is the chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, while Governor Akpabio is the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
“They are two different institutions; and this is what people fail to understand. There is no division among the PDP governors. My governors are my foot soldiers. The emergence of the PDP Governors Forum is part of the needed reforms and that is what I have come to do in the PDP—to reconcile the party.
“I believe in reconciliation without confrontation; I believe in reconciliation without revenge. My ambition is the rebuilding of the PDP based on equity and justice,” Tukur stated.
On his endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 ambition, Tukur said it was too early to start thinking of who gets what in 2015, “the issue of 2015 is not the agenda now because we have not concluded the agenda for 2013, not to talk of 2014 and then 2015.”
Tukur who was in Kano to commiserate with the Emir, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero over the 19 January attack on his convoy, also had a brief meeting with Kano PDP leadership at the airport before boarding his flight back to Abuja.
At Bayero’s Palace, Tukur thanked God for sparring the life of the Emir and prayed that God will continue to guide and protect the Royal Father, while Emir Bayero in his response, urged Nigerians to pray for the return of peace and stability in the country.
The Kano state Acting Governor, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Ganduje took time to enumerate the achievements of Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso’s administration in Kano ranging from revolution in education, road construction, agriculture and massive human development.
According to Ganduje who spoke at the brief meeting at Kano airport, it was Kwankwaso’s desire to make Kano gain the status of states like Lagos in terms of commerce and socio-infrastructural development.
Addressing party men, Tukur acknowledged visible changes and achievements so far recorded by the PDP-led government in the state, pointing out that in the nearest future, Kano will regain its status as the commercial nerve centre of not only the North, but of the entire country.
“I want to salute the Acting Governor and the Governor for the good work they are doing here, because from what I have seen on ground, I really salute you,” Tukur stated.
The PDP boss was in Kano in the company of Chief Victor Kwon, PDP National Legal Adviser; Senator Walid Jubrin, PDP Board Of Trustees Secretary; Nasir Ibrahim Mantu, former Deputy Senate President; Ibrahim Ida, Principal Secretary of the party; Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, Political Adviser and Salisu Magaji, party chieftain.
