Jigawa: Plot to hand over PDP to Turaki thickens

A fresh plot in underway to dissolve the current executive committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State, and it hand over to ex-Governor, Saminu Ibrahim Turaki, Daily Trust has learnt.

Lamido recently launched a movement called ‘Saminiyya Movement’ that is in support of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The plan according to sources, is constitute a caretaker committee after the dissolution of the current exco on grounds that the INEC had faulted the process of its composition, while members loyal to the former governor would be appointed to run the affairs of the party.

Former House of Representatives member, Abbas Anas, who is close to the former governor, confirmed the development to newsmen.

He said “Jigawa State is among the nine states listed by INEC that has not conducted proper congresses since 2012. The present state executive committee as presently constituted is illegal. The constitution of the PDP recognizes party structures from the ward up to the state level. So since there is no valid structure, the building is faulty. Plans are on to bring in care –taker committee to take charge of the affairs of the party in the state”

On the allegation that the Presidency is behind the move to remove the structures from Lamido since the Presidency is allegedly not sure of his support, Anas told newsmen that the Presidency is not responsible for the lack proper congress in Jigawa adding that what they want is for illegality to give way.

He said as far as the PDP at the centre is concerned, a caretaker committee is in the making and that Turaki has been more active lately in the party than Lamido.

“When the President went to Bauchi, Lamido was absent. The same thing in Sokoto, Katsina and Kano last week. Even when Lamido went to North-West rally in Kaduna he openly challenged the leadership of the party while Turaki has been with party all the way”

But in a swift reaction, the Jigawa State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Mahmuda Kuit said the present exco of the party was properly constituted through the ward congresses up to the state level.

“I am not aware that INEC has included Jigawa in the nine states which has not conducted congresses. We have not seen any letter to that effect. I want to assure you that the state exco was properly constituted and when we conducted the congresses INEC was here as a witness. We held our election at the popular Aminu Kano Triangle. I am therefore not aware of any attempt to bring a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the state as there is no basis to do that”

He said as far as they are concerned, Turaki is not a PDP member even though he has been following the President.