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.

nigerian politics is getting more interesting. lets watch and see what happens next

Re-Election What is the source of this tripe please?

Am surprised the APGA -PDP Governor wasn't mentioned in the campaign team! too bad

He will remain there until 2019 .when babangida,abacha and abubakar ruled for almost 20years,no northerner criticised them.when sanusi mapped out strategy to islamise naija's economy via CBN,no northern criticised him.now u guys and ur cohort;saharareporters and punch news paper are trying to pull him down,but u can't bring down a man destined for success.

Itoroetti :
He will remain there until 2019 .when babangida,abacha and abubakar ruled for almost 20years,no northerner criticised them.when sanusi mapped out strategy to islamise naija's economy via CBN,no northern criticised him.now u guys and ur cohort;saharareporters and punch news paper are trying to pull him down,but u can't bring down a man destined for success.

one of the most senseless posts I have seen on this site. Smh!

Chai mallam please excuse me what is mimiko is doing With this reckless slowpoke increativety man well will are not sleep will are just fixed our eye on the day jonapoor wil step our state you will know that ondo is not belong to mimiko only idiot

Itoroetti :
He will remain there until 2019 .when babangida,abacha and abubakar ruled for almost 20years,no northerner criticised them.when sanusi mapped out strategy to islamise naija's economy via CBN,no northern criticised him.now u guys and ur cohort;saharareporters and punch news paper are trying to pull him down,but u can't bring down a man destined for success.

2019?are you mad oh sorry you need the doctor attention

berem: Am surprised the APGA -PDP Governor wasn't mentioned in the campaign team! too bad

u shuld knw d team was selected amidst intrigues and many secret plots against him. So, he dnt av any reasn to trust carelessly.