The national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Bamanga Tukur rode to power on not a little controversy. Looking beyond this however, the Tafidan Adamawa conceived a 12 point agenda to transform ‘Africa’s biggest party, CHIBUZOR UKAIBE writes that despite the myriad of problems confronting the country and major challenges along his path, Tukur is still holding firm as he pilots the big ship of PDP.
When he took charge of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in March, Few gave Bamanga Tukur any chance to walk his talk. The road leading to the party’s highest office was rancorous as it was exciting. Few equally gave him any chance of clinching the post of chairman of Nigeria’s biggest political party.
Lined up against him were formidable forces. His biggest hurdle was from his home constituency, the North East zone. Disturbingly close was the perceived opposition of former President Atiku Abubakar reportedly eyeing the presidential chair in 2015.
Tukur and Atiku are both from Adamawa state. Both are traditional title holders. The former is the Tafidan Adamawa while the latter is the Turakin Adamawa. Watchers of the politics of zoning enshrined in the PDP concluded that the emergence of Tukur as chairman has effectively sank Atiku’s presidential dreams. Opponents of zoning however countered that zoning died with the election of President Jonathan last year in violation of the party’s constitution.
Tukur came brandishing a 12 point agenda of transforming the PDP. It would rest on a three-pronged categorisation, which included Triple-R, Triple-E and Triple-D. It would offer a road map in addressing the myriad of problems confronting the nation including terrorism, insecurity and corruption.
Triple-R agenda would start with a genuine RECONCILIATION process for members to embrace the party and its programmes while aggrieved members would be given a sense of belonging. The REFORMATION of the party and a process of total REBUILDING based on equity and justice.
The Triple-E agenda, centres on Energy, Environmental Sustainability/Food Security and Education. He unveiled the agenda with such pride and passion.
Some expectedly sneered and dismissed it as mere rhetorics. They argue that the party’s biggest problem is the lack of internal democracy and the ‘do-or-die’ tendency espoused by the former president, chief Obasanjo.
No sooner than he settled down he faces an acid test. His chief of staff Habu Fari clashed with the Secretary of the Party, Ogunsoye Oyinlola, a former governor of Osun state. Fari has proved to be a wily politician and a master of intrigues seen by many as an integral part of Tukur. He was seen therefore, as indispensable. For the period the rift lasted, the National Working Committee of the party was severed right down to the bottom along two camps.
The Tafidan Adamawa was clear as to what he would do to unite his exco. To the amazement of many he fired Fari and moved on with the task of reforming the party. Watchers expect that Tukur will bring to bear his wealth of experience in reforming the party.
For example, unlike his predecessors, Tukur has the stature and clout to whip into line recalcitrant members of the party ranging from senators to governors. Similarly he has sufficient business exposure internationally to hold his turf against any usurpers of party functions. Even his critics acknowledge that he is like a mechanic on a mission not totally impossible.
In the days leading to his election as chairman, Tukur faced his biggest opposition from home state-Adamawa. He shares the same constituency with Atiku Abubakar.
The former vice president has proved a dogged fighter. In the latter part of his reign as No2 to former President Obasanjo, he successfully challenged and reversed in court, his sack as Vice President by a temperamental principal. It was not the only victory he has had in court.
Even his critics credit him with an uncommon ability to turn political foes into allies. This quality makes him formidable as a political foe. It was therefore, understandable that Tukur would face a stiff opposition from an Atiku opposition.
But Tukur glided past that hurdle with the grace of a ballerina. It was not the first time he would face such political odds. In the short lived Second Republic, he made history, uprooting from Government House Yola, Abubakar Barde of the defunct Great Nigeria People Party (GNPP).
Not many gave his party, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) a chance against the more entrenched GNPP. Though his stint as governor lasted precisely three short months because the military overthrew the regime on 31st December 1983 that Republic, he left his signature indelible marks acquired as the General Manager of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) earlier.
Among others, Tukur is known for vision and discipline. Once he identifies a goal, he remains unwaveringly committed until it has been achieved. These traits characterize his sojourn both as an administrator and as a politician.
Long before he became governor of Gongola State in the last quarter of 1983, Tukur had literally worked wonders managing the nation’s ports. In the mid-70s, the nation’s ports were a mess.
Massive congestion defined them. It was the era of the cement “armada” massively imported to rebuild and heal the scars of the civil war that ended a few years earlier. It was here that Tukur’s managerial acumen began to manifest. It was also here that the urge to serve humanity on a larger scale took roots leading to his exit in 1982 to run for governorship of the old Gongola state.
Under his guide, the government built more seaports and operations phenomenally grew. Expectedly it helped in easing the transaction cost associated with shipping and to ensure adequate facilities for Nigeria’s import and export needs.