ALMOST seven years after leaving the Bauchi Government House, former Governor Adamu Ahmed Muazu, on Monday, returned to the public glare.
He was chosen as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the 64th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja.
While announcing Muazu’s choice to replace the former chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, President Goodluck Jonathan said the former governor’s de-tribalised nature and his non-attachment to religious sentiments gave him the position in the North-East.
He also said Muazu would build bridges “and not just be fighting, fighting, fighting”.
Tukur is also an indigene of North-East (Adamawa).
While Muazu was governor of Bauchi State (1999 to 2007), Jonathan was deputy governor of Bayelsa State. He later became the governor from December 10, 2005 to May 28, 2007 when former Governor Timipre Sylva took over.
Jonathan said the level of interest generated after Tukur’s exit was unprecedented as several people called to give him the attribute of a candidate that can creditably chair the party, while several others visited and handed him such expectations.
Jonathan stated that the amicable resolution of months of crises in the party showed how successful PDP is in crises management, boasting that “this has proved that no other party can lead this country”.
He disclosed that Muazu emerged tops from the list of contenders due to his de-tribalised nature and his non-attachment to religious sentiments.
Muazu’s successor, Governor Isa Yuguda, nominated him for the job while Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba seconded the sole nomination.
Jonathan said: “All those who showed interest in the position were eminently qualified but Muazu had additional unique attributes that stood him out.
“You are the best that will handle PDP for now, you are someone that will build bridges and not just be fighting, fighting, fighting.
“We need somebody that can move the party forward, including the toxic assets. We selected you because most of the people believe you have a unique attribute. You have friends from the North, South, East and West. You are not a tribal monger nor influenced by religion.
“I knew you as Deputy Governor and I remember you hosted me in Bauchi. I can say that I know you and I have confidence you can handle this assignment”.
The President stated that rather than a chairman who would create tension or fight his governors or other party leaders, Muazu seems to be a bridge-builder and urged him not to disappoint Yuguda and party members.
When a call was made for the nomination of chairmanship candidate in line with provisions of Section 47 (6) of the PDP constitution by the Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Yuguda defied book makers and nominated Muazu, his arch rival.
Yuguda’s nomination was seconded by Ndoma-Egba. That was the sole nomination as no other person indicated interest.
The speculation was that none of the PDP governors, including the North-East, wanted somebody from their state to occupy the plum position to avoid power tussle.
In moving the motion, Yuguda acknowledged that there was indeed friction which had been put behind them.
Said Yuguda: “We know what is between us. I want to assure everyone here that Ahmad is my friend and brother. We have been childhood friends and studied at ABU, Zaria, though I was a year ahead of him”.
He described Muazu as a very intelligent, healthy and strong young man who has what it takes to reposition the party and resolve the intra-party squabble and halt distractions to Jonathan.
In his acceptance speech, Muazu said Tukur clairvoyantly told him that he would one day succeed him as PDP national chairman.
“When Tukur was in office, I always bent down to greet him and he always told me ‘don’t be in a hurry, I will hand over to you’. Today, this prophesy has come to pass”.
He declared that the challenges confronting PDP is common with mega political parties all over the world and gave assurances that the doomsday prophesy that PDP will disintegrate had come to nothing.
Muazu pledged to recover all lost PDP controlled states, stressing that Nigerians still love PDP as first party of choice.
“In the coming weeks and months, we shall engage in sweeping reforms, we cannot continue to operate as if we are in the 19th century. We will do everything to move the party forward and reconcile our aggrieved members,” he said.
While warning idle “political jobbers and gossips” to stay away from him, Muazu promised that he would expose any such gossips promising that on his watch, the party will not condone questionable primary elections.
There were goodwill messages from representatives of PDP Governor Forum, Board of Trustees, State chairmen and PDP women.
The meeting witnessed the largest turnout of PDP founding fathers and governors in recent past.
Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Muktari Shagari and his Adamawa State counterpart, Bala Ngilari, were also in attendance at the meeting.
The two deputy governors did not defect with their governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
