2015: PDP govs fault Jonathan, senators’ deal

Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party have faulted the alleged agreement made by President Goodluck Jonathan with members of the PDP in the Senate to curb the overwhelming influence of state governors in the affairs of the party, particularly its primaries.

At a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday night, the President, the senators and the leadership of the party allegedly agreed to ensure a level-playing field at the primaries as a way of checking the governors.

The national leadership of the PDP had issued automatic second term ticket to its first-term governors and automatic senatorial ticket to the outgoing second-term governors. The latter were also given the opportunity to determine their successor.

The steps by the party had angered the senators, especially those who are seeking a return to the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.

Speaking to SUNDAY PUNCH, the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, stated that the clash of interest between the governors and senators in the PDP would be resolved by the electorate.

He said despite the decision of the Presidency, “the most important factor is the will of the people.”

Aliyu, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Israel Ebije, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday said only the wish of the electorate would prevail.