Tukur, Oyinlola’s power tussle divides PDP

All is not well within the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party as the   Chairman of the party, Dr. Bamaga Tukur, and  Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, are  reportedly on warpath.

Our correspondent learnt  that  Oyinlola, in some memos, accused some Tukur’s aides  of working against  the party.

He specifically accused Tukur’s Principal Secretary, Alhaji Habu Fari, of having no regard for the laws and constitution of the party.

In the memo  dated June 8, 2012 with reference PDP NS 03/12 to Fari and Tukur, Oyinlola warned  that the party was heading for a major crisis if the activities of Tukur’s aides were not curtailed.

In the letter titled, ‘Illegal Acts Prejudicial to the Interest of the Peoples Democratic Party,’ Oyinlola wrote, “It has become imperative for me to invite your attention to some very unethical acts which are capable of causing disharmony within the leadership of the PDP as well as cause incalculable damage to relationships and smooth conduct of business at the national headquarters of the party.

“You will certainly recall that I have also had occasion to discuss this trend of unbecoming conduct with you while I have also written to you in the past from acts prejudicial to smooth conduct of activities of the NWC.

“I am constrained to once again react to your continued disregard  for  the laws and constitutions guiding activities of our great party which you claim to be serving at the national headquarters of the PDP.”

The former Osun State  governor also  accused Fari of engaging in external correspondence with some members of the party, which he claimed ought to be his duty.

Our correspondent learnt that Oyinlola was not happy that Fari, allegedly on  Tukur’s directive, wrote an introductory letter to the National Chairman’s Special Adviser on National Assembly, Mr. Abdullahi Gumel, on the need to mount pressure on the members at the National Assembly to pay their dues to the party.

But Tukur said  his aides could act on his behalf with or without the knowledge of the NWC members, including Oyinlola.

It was learnt that the chairman,  further argued that in line with the constitution of the party, his most senior personal aide was in the best position to issue  letters appointments  to other aides, a situation said to have  infuriated Oyinlola.

Fari, a former Chairman of the National Democratic Party, was first named as Chief of Staff to the National Chairman, but had his title changed when the NWC members protested that such an office was not known to the party’s constitution. 

They also said there was no record to show that Fari had left the NDP and had indeed registered with the PDP.

Oyinlola, in his memo, also  accused Fari of usurpation of power  by writing letters introducing the Special Advisers to different people and offices.

It was learnt that Oyinlola  also wrote   to all state  chairmen, directing  them to disregard any memo from the party’s national headquarters not carrying  his signature.

Investigations showed that the development had polarised the  NWC.

While Tukur is believed to be working towards getting President Goodluck Jonathan a second term ticket, the other faction is believed to have the support of the governors elected under the PDP’s banner.

Tukur was said  to be  Jonathan’s  candidate for the job while the governors, before they agreed to support his candidature, insisted that Oyinlola must be the party’s  secretary.

It was also learnt that a faction of the  NWC  has vowed to  reduce Tukur’s power.

The former minister  was said to have been surprised when his memorandums  to the NWC on how to reform the party was turned down on Wednesday.

Tukur was said to have,   among other things, proposed that some directors should be redeployed  as part of his reforms in the party.

The NWC also rejected his request to establish more committees that would ensure smooth running of the party.

It was gathered that the NWC members were not happy over the setting up of the 50-man advisory committee led by the former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme without their approval.

Apart from Tukur, only two members of the NWC were in attendance during the inauguration.

They were the National Treasurer, Mr. Bala Kaoje and the National Woman Leader, Mrs. Kema Chikwe. 

The National Youth Leader, Mr. Garba Chiza, came when the event had almost ended.

Even, the two members of the NWC, who were listed as members of the advisory committee, stayed away from its inauguration on May 30.

They were the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Dam Jaja and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

 Source: The Punch