SAMBO HEADS JONATHAN’S RE-ELECTION TEAM

Amidst intrigues and unending crises rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan appears set to roll out his campaign for the 2015 Presidential election, as his inner caucus members have decided that “silence for too long” will be inimical to their principal’s ambition.

Against this backdrop, Daily Independent learnt that the President’s men, led by Vice President Namadi Sambo, have set up a “closely-guarded team” with only trusted associates of the President in the know.

Other members of the team, it was gathered, include former Works Minister and the President’s favourite for the position of PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Tony Anenih, former Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bode George, and four PDP Governors, two of whom are from the South-South, and one each from the North East and North Central.

To firm up the arrangement in the ‘Jonathan for 2015 Presidency Project’, Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, is also being reached out to, it was reliably gathered.

It is already planned that Mimiko will take over the affairs of the PDP in the South West, just as he is being considered to ‘anchor’ the President’s re-election campaign in the region. This is, however, after he must have returned to his former party after his swearing-in for a second term next week.

Sambo and members of the team have perfected plans to “launch out” before the middle of the year to avoid “negative consequences that may follow unnecessary delay”, a competent source told Daily Independent in confidence.

Jonathan has consistently told the nation that his take on the 2015 Presidential election can only be unveiled in 2014.

But, according to a source who pleaded anonymity, the President’s men decided to “play smart” knowing that their boss is a “slow decider,” even as they were propelled by the on-going merger arrangement in the opposition camp which has coincided with the cuurent bickering within the ruling party.

This development is coming on the heels of reports that loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, while vowing to pursue their “humiliation to the highest level of the party,” are already opening discussions with the leadership of the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC).

One source said Sambo’s meeting with members of the G-84 of the PDP NEC late last week was his first assignment since assuming the role of the President’s re-election project.

Bode George was equally assigned to return home and unite his zone in the South West.

It was unclear whether last Thursday’s meeting of the leadership of the PDP from the South West with the President was in line with his re-election bid.

“From all indications, it appears that silence for too long means a lot of negative things to us, it is inimical to our interest as a group; so that’s the sole reason the Vice President himself has taken up the project as his, and that tells you that the Presidency is one indivisible entity.

“For now, the number two citizen is closely guiding the project with only trusted associates of Mr. President having knowledge of what is going on at the moment as far as what you are asking is concerned.

“But I can tell you categorically that it will work when the time comes.”

Commenting on the necessity for that kind of committee when the President himself has made it clear that he will only comment in 2014, the source said it was very vital, just as he dismissed the APC with a wave of the hand.

“Right now, you can see how people, including some PDP members, are deluding themselves with the APC which is going to face more challenges than the PDP is currently facing.

“We are not bothered at all because at the appropriate time when Governor Mimiko returns to the PDP, he will normalise the region; he has rattled them before and he will do it better next time.”

Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Ali Gulak, confirmed that Mimiko might join the PDP later, but declined further details. “We are discussing with Governor Mimiko, I’m sure things will work out, let’s leave it at that,” he said.

All the same, the move by Obasanjo loyalists is spearheaded by a former Governor and a Senator in the last session of the National Assembly.

On Friday, the South West congress of the PDP was nullified as well as that of Ogun State.

The development came in the wake of a suit instituted by an anti-Obasanjo PDP chieftain, Buruji Kashamu, whose legal action saw to the exit of tNational Secretary.

“We are talking; we cannot be humiliated in this manner and above all, a man whose action and inaction, whether good or bad, made the present government cannot be humiliated and we keep quite.

“It cannot happen in this country; if we are not recognised in the party, we will take our destiny into our hands and forge ahead and if need be, we will ‘return home’. I am sure you know what that means.

“In politics, only permanent interests are paramount, there are no permanent friends or enemies; and for those who think they can take the Yoruba PDP for granted, they will be shocked when the time comes.

“We are waiting for just a word from Baba whom we have given a few days to think about what has happened to us,” a former Governor said.

Source: Daily Independent