I’LL REMAIN IN POLITICS TILL DEATH- TUKUR

The immediate past chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has said he will remain in active politicking till his last moment on earth.
Dr. Tukur was reacting to a publication in one of the national newspapers captioned, “Politicians Jonathan retired” with the sub-title “PDP leaders whose lights fade with President’s defeat” in which his name and picture appeared.
According to Dr. Tukur in a statement signed by his special adviser on media, Prince Oliver Okpala that he is in politics to serve the nation and give his best to the nation and does not see any reason for retirement when the nation is in dare need of the experience and wisdom of veteran politicians and elder statesman of his like.

BAMANGA TUKUR WANTS MUAZU SACKED, ASKS COURT TO REINSTATE HIM AS PDP CHAIRMAN

Erstwhile chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamaga Tukur, Wednesday, asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to reinstate him as the national chairman of the party and order that he should be allowed to preside over the party’s forthcoming national convention.
Not done yet, Tukur also prayed the court to order that he should be allowed to preside over the affairs of the party until 2016, when his tenure as the party’s national chairman will expire.
According to court papers seen by THEWILL, Tukur maintained that he was stampeded into resigning as national chairman of the party as a condition for the seven defected PDP governors to return to the party in the aftermath of the crisis that rocked the ruling party following the defection of seven PDP governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.

TUKUR APPOINTED AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE

The former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has been appointed as an Ambassador-at-Large by President Goodluck Jonathan.
An Ambassador-at-Large is an envoy who is assigned special duties by the president.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Public Communication Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday.
Tukur’s citation read in part: “Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, erstwhile National Chairman of the ruling PDP from 2012 to January 2014, has in the course of his career in Nigeria’s public service, served as the General Manager and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 1975 to 1982. He was elected governor of the then Gongola State in 1983.

‘MY LIFE AFTER SERVING AS PDP CHAIRMAN - BAMANGATUKUR

 Following his dramatic ouster as chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Alhaji Bamanga Tukur relatively maintained a low profile. In this exclusive chat with Sunday Trust, however, Tukur, who now chairs the Nigerian Railway Corporation, breaks his silence and bares his mind on wide ranging issues, including the threat of insurgency in the country. Excerpts:

Since you left the PDP as chairman, you were hardly seen attending PDP functions. Were you keeping low profile because you were angry?
I was not angry. Since I left the PDP chairmanship, I still continue to be the rallying point for PDP in many ways. I have always been encouraging members of our party to support the building process. In my state, I still continue to keep members going. I can tell you that even those who left the PDP in Adamawa have now returned into the party. I am sure you are aware of the reception that the party members in Adamawa gave to me. I thanked them and asked them to continue and I told them that the errand they sent me on the leadership of PDP, I did it to my own satisfaction, because I pursued the interest of the party with doggedness and utmost sincerity.

TUKUR RESUMES AT NRC

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday resumed at the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).
He described President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda as one which had awakened the sleeping giant that was the Railway.
Tukur, who praised the level of funding for the corporation, assured that there would be adequate funding to ensure the success of the corporation.
He said he was bringing to the saddle a wealth of experience, which saw him leave a legacy at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), where he built 18 ports across the country within five years.

BAMANGA TUKUR’S WIFE REGISTERS FOR APC

Wife of the sacked People’s Democratic Party’s Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Hajiya Asiya Mohammed Bello yesterday registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Gabasawa Ward in Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna North Local Government area of Kaduna State with registration card number 0623374.
Our correspondent, who monitored the ongoing APC registration in Kaduna yesterday confirmed that she had registered before he arrived but however got details of her registration from the registration officer.
Efforts to speak with Asiya Bello when our correspondent visited Tukur’s residence at Gwari Crescent in Unguwan Rimi as to why she choose to go with the APC and not the PDP, her husband’s party was not successful. She was said to be fasting and ready to pray after the break of the fast and will not be available to speak.
The house is a duplex with several boys quarters located at a sharp bend on a large expanse of land at the Gwari Crescent GRA of Unguwan Rimi.

TUKUR TO BE APPOINTED DEFENCE MINISTER

ABUJA — Strong indications have emerged in Abuja that ousted former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has been penciled down by President Goodluck Jonathan as the next Minister of Defence.
While announcing Tukur’s retirement and displaying the envelope containing the letter last week, President Jonathan, who is the leader of his party, revealed that he was going to reward the former chairman with a very tough appointment.
Security sources told Vanguard, yesterday, that contrary to the belief that Tukur was asked to resign as PDP chairman because he ended up causing disaffection within the party, President Jonathan only told the former chairman to step aside to enable a wholesome resolution of perceived grievances of various camps who cited Tukur as the problem.

I HAD DIFFICULT TIMES AS PDP CHAIRMAN – TUKUR

The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has said that he “passed through difficult times while in office.” He thereby urged anyone aspiring to head the party to be fearless, consistent and focused.
He spoke when some clerics visited and prayed with him at his residence in Abuja on Saturday. He insisted that he stood by every decision he took while in office.
Tukur said he made a huge sacrifice by resigning from office as he expressed regrets that some members of the PDP preferred the party to be run with the business as usual mentality, because, according to him, such members were utterly opposed to any form of change in running other party.
He said that his actions were aimed at reforming the party and to deepen democracy and made Nigeria raise its head among the comity of great nations.

TUKUR RESIGNS •SUBMITTED LETTER TO PRESIDENT AT 5.30PM •TRANSPORT MINISTER, TWO OTHERS IN CONTENTION

Indications emerged on Wednesday that the embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, tendered his resignation following the request from the National Caucus which met twice in the last two days.
Tukur was reported to have submitted his resignation letter to the president even though as at the time of filling this report, there has been no official confirmation of his resignation either from the party secretariat or the presidency.
Tukur’s Special Assistant on Media, Prince Oliver Okpala however sent text messages round denying the resignation report, announcing that his boss would attend the meetings of Board of Trustees and National Caucus.
Impeccable administration and party sources insisted that the resignation letter was already with the president even though Tukur might still attend meetings slated for Wednesday night.

AT LAST, TUKUR RESIGNS

Embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has resigned, THE PUNCH learnt.
A senior member of the divided National Working Committee of the party, who spoke with our correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday, said President Goodluck Jonathan will inform the meeting of the National Caucus of the party tonight in Abuja about the development.
With the resignation, Tukur has escaped being suspended from the party by the members of the NWC if he had refused to resign.
Tukur was to be suspended by about eight members of the NWC, while the National Executive Committee of the party would ratify his suspension on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan is said to be scheming to install Tukur’s successor.
The First Lady is said to be rooting for the appointment of the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar.
However, the governors are resisting the move.
Source: Punch

SAVE ME FROM DISGRACE, TUKUR BEGS JONATHAN

•President, others meet at Villa
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur stepped up yesterday his battle to keep his job.
He reportedly rushed down to the Presidential Villa to beg President Goodluck Jonathan to save him from being disgraced out of office.
He assured the President repeatedly that he would reconcile with the aggrieved members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and other leaders of the party, it was learnt.
The President reportedly met with Board of Trustees Chairman Chief Tony Anenih and other leaders on Tukur’s offer.
There were strong indications that the President and members of the National Caucus might give Tukur a second chance.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that upon reaching the Presidential Villa, a distraught Tukur attempted to kneel down for the President, but it was resisted by Jonathan.

TUKUR BEGS OBASANJO

. Says, Please Don’t Leave Our Party
. South-West PDP Lines up Behind OBJ
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has appealed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo not to leave the PDP, saying his experience and aura are needed to move the party forward. The PDP chairman’s appeal is contained in a reply to a letter written to him by Obasanjo dated January 7, 2014. A copy of the letter was sent to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Alhaji Tukur explained that he met the crisis, which Obasanjo complained about, in the South-West PDP and that the party required the assistance of the former president to resolve the matter.
In the letter which was reported by a section of the media yesterday, the former president said, though he would remain a card-carrying member of the party, he would no longer participate in the activities of the PDP because the headquarters of the party had handed over the South-West PDP to Prince Buruji Kashamu, whom he accused of being a criminal and drug peddler. 

NEC MEETING: PDP GOVS UNDER PRESSURE TO SAVE TUKUR

The Presidency has started lobbying the Peoples Democratic Party governors to avert the removal of the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, during the January 8 National Executive Council meeting of the party.
It was learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan had finally been convinced that those calling for Tukur’s removal had their agenda.
It was also gathered from the camp of the chairman that the defection of five of the party’s governors played a major role in convening the January 8 meeting.
A member of the National Working Committee of the party, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, however admitted that the defection of the five governors was painful.
He said there would have been tension at the January 8 meeting, if the five governors were still in the party.
The NWC member said the Presidency and the National Working Committee of the party were aware that there were some governors who were still bent on seeing Tukur removed.

TUKUR DENIES TAKING LEGAL ACTION TO STALL HIS OUSTER

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Sunday said he had not instituted any legal action in court to stop the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) from meeting on his removal from office.
This came as a group urged the governors elected on the platform of the party to adduce reasons why they want Tukur removed from office.
In a statement signed by the Media Aide to the PDP national chairman, Oliver Okpala, the aide said: “The attention of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has been drawn to a wrong insinuation published in one of the national dailies today that he was filing a legal action to prevent the party's NEC from removing him as the national chairman of the party.

BAMANGA TUKUR SURVIVES, AS GOVS PASS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON HIM

ABUJA-NATIONAL Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday survived planned moves to remove him as governors elected on the platform of the party have passed a vote of confidence on him.
The decision was taken at the end of the meeting of the governors held on Thursday at the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
Though Journalists were not allowed into the venue of the meeting, but Vanguard gathered that at the end of the meeting which ended at 8.45 pm, the governors decided to pass the vote of confidence and end the bickering which has scattered the party that led to the defection of five governors to All Progressives Congress, APC against the backdrop that was enmeshed in crises and the APC waxing stronger.

TUKUR TALKS TOUGH, SAYS HE WON’T THROW IN THE TOWEL

• PDP govs move to save party, meet president, House members
•First Lady’s responds to THISDAY’s story
The contentious National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Thursday remained resolute over holding on to the reins of leadership of the party, stating that he would not resign because he had not done anything wrong to warrant his resignation or sack.
He also blamed the crisis in the party on members whom he said want to become president at all cost.
Tukur spoke yesterday when he granted audience to a team of PDP youths from 19 northern states led by Mr. Galadima Yahaya, paid him a solidarity visit at his Wuse II residence in Abuja.

TUKUR’S RESIGNATION: PRESIDENT REFUSES TO BOW TO PRESSURE

President Goodluck Jonathan has foreclosed the issue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s resignation as agitated by some governors and senior party chieftains.
A source close to Jonathan revealed to LEADERSHIP that the president has categorically stated that Tukur will remain the party chairman and he will not further revisit the issue or listen to any call for the resignation of the party chairman.
Some PDP governors and party chieftains had for a long time called for the resignation of the party chairman as a condition of loyalty and membership to PDP.

WE’LL RECONCILE, BRING BACK OUR DEFECTING MEMBERS – TUKUR

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party will not sit idle and watch its members defect enmass to the All Progressives Congress which is on the verge of claiming the majority slot in the National Assembly.
According to the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the party is not just worried about the new twist in the political calculations but also concerned that it could affect the electoral fortunes of the party in the coming elections if not halted.
He said the leadership of the party has therefore resolved to vigorously pursue its reconciliation efforts between the party and aggrieved members.

TUKUR’S AIDE IN TROUBLE OVER ATTACKS ON GOVS

SOME personal aides of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are facing likely sack, for making unauthorised statements on behalf of the party chairman and the party in general.
Already, the party has barred and warned all personal aides of members of the National Working Committee and all unauthorised persons to desist from making comments on the administration of the party.
Apart from barring unauthorised statements, the national chairman was said to have concluded plans to sack some aides, for embarrassing and misrepresenting the party and his office.
In a statement signed by the national publicity secretary of the party, Chief Olisah Metuh, the PDP disowned attacks launched on some governors of the party by the political adviser to the party chairman, Senator Umar Gada, reaffirming that the party was not at a loggerheads with its governors.

TUKUR: MY REMOVAL WILL MAKE JONATHAN VULNERABLE

Asks: Is loyalty a crime?
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has risen against the plot by the governors elected on the platform of the party for his removal from office, stating that the plot is aimed at making President Goodluck Jonathan vulnerable.

Tukur wondered whether it was a crime for him to be loyal to the president, who is the leader of the party.

The governors elected on the platform of the PDP had in the past two weeks mounted pressures for Tukur’s removal from office, accusing him of being a stumbling block in the wheel of progress of the party.

In their last Friday’s meeting, the PDP governors recommended for a soft landing for Tukur, suggesting that he made an ambassador and posted outside the country.