PDP crisis: Tukur, Amaechi hold peace talk

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman Bamanga Tukur has held a fence-mending session with Governor Rotimi Amaechi on the way forward for the party, sources said yesterday.

The two leaders locked up themselves in a room for “frank talks” for about 30 minutes on Friday, it was learnt.

Also, the outcome of the session may assist in smoothening the relationship between the governor and the Presidency.

There is celebration in Amaechi’s camp because Tukur’s visit foreclosed moves by some stalwarts of PDP in the state to set up a different faction to confront the governor in 2015.

The state Chairman of PDP, G. U. Ake, was with Tukur throughout the visit.

Tukur and Amaechi met for about 30 minutes behind closed doors to discuss the crisis rocking the party, reconciliation and how to put the PDP on a strong footing towards 2015.

Also, Tukur sought the support of PDP governors to execute his agenda for the party.

Tukur and PDP governors have disagreed over what is seen as the chairman’s plans to whittle down the governors’ control of party structure.

The cold war was fuelled by the crisis in Adamawa over ward, local government and state congresses.

The issues with the governors accounted for the delay in holding the National Executive Committee.

The last session of NEC was held in July 2012. Tukur has been cautious in convening a NEC meeting because of alleged plot by PDP governors to pass a vote of no confidence in him.

There were insinuations that Amaechi was central to the crisis and Tukur decided to meet with him. Amaechi is the chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum.

Tukur opened up to Amaechion why the party must move forward, a source said.

The source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The PDP National chairman’s trip to Rivers State was actually beyond the institute named after him. A covert side of the visit was a fence-mending session with Amaechi. The governor’s nominee, Dr. Sam Jaja, who is also the Deputy National Chairman of PDP, led the revolt of the National Working Committee against Tukur in January.

“So, the two leaders locked up themselves for about 30 minutes without any official aide. They met to resolve issues causing tension in the party and how the governors could reduce the tension and buy into the Tukur’s agenda.

“The National Chairman of PDP took time off to explain why he is embarking on a reconciliation programme, which is meant to put the party on a sound footing for 2015 poll. He sought the governors’s cooperation with President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Amaechi is expected to meet with his colleagues and relay Tukur’s plea to them.

“Although Jaja was not part of Tukur’s delegation, there were signs that Amaechi will reconcile the two leaders later.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “I think Tukur will facilitate a fresh understanding between the President and Amaechi. That was one assignment or task he has brought forward.”

The source however spoke on the gains derived from the visit by Amaechi, the source said: “Tukur identified with the state PDP Executive Committee, contrary to attempts by some stakeholders to set up a factional State Executive Committee(SEC).

“Throughout the trip, the state Chairman of PDP, G. U. Ake was with Tukur contrary to the expectations of some stakeholders in Abuja. It shows that Tukur is a fair-minded leader.

“With this development, Amaechi can embrace Tukur’s olive branch and work towards a genuine reconciliation in PDP.”