Despite the seeming acrimonious relationship that existed between them while she held sway as the nation’s First Lady, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, indications are that she has pitched tent with President Goodluck Jonathan in the contest for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Findings by our reporter showed that Turai, who was not favourably disposed to Jonathan, the then vice president, taking over the mantle of leadership following the sickness of the late President Umar Yar’Adua, is now taking on politicians from the state opposed to the Jonathan project.
For instance, a senator from her state, Katsina, Kanti Bello, the deputy director of the IBB Campaign Organisation, is now being avoided by the ex-president’s wife.
As a result of the development, the senator no longer goes to see the former first lady on account of what he perceives as a deliberate attempt by the ex-first lady to avoid him.
Recently, matters came to a head when the Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, also declared the senator a persona non grata of sort by withdrawing a car he had earlier given the senator.
This again has pitted the senator against the governor.
Observers say what is happening among these top politicians in the state may prove to be a long war of attrition.
The governor, a known acolyte of the president even while former President Yar’Adua was alive, is said to be uncomfortable with the senator’s closeness with IBB.
The withdrawal of the car, sources close to the senator said, pained the senator to no end, for which the lawmaker has vowed to exact his own pound of flesh by working against the president and Shema come 2011.
Initially, Bello enjoyed sympathy from the former first lady, especially given his vitriolic against Dora Akunyili, Minister of Information.
But as matter stands, Turai has been giving the senator a wide berth of late.
The reason adduced for this, said friends of the former first lady, has to do with a realistic appraisal of her condition and her family by Turai.
“She knows that her interest will be better served with Jonathan in power. The reason is simple. Northern politicians never saw her husband as the choice of the North, but rather, they saw the late president as an imposition on them by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The former president was still alive when they made it known to him that they only wanted him to serve one term so that the North could make their own choice for the second term,” said our source.
Secondly, Muhammadu Buhari, former military Head of State and a leading candidate from the North under the banner of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, may not be a ready choice for her to pitch tent with.
While alive, Umaru Yar’Adua proved a formidable foe for the former military ruler in 2003 and 2007, where he checkmated Buhari from getting the bulk of Katsina vote.
Also, Katsina indigenes readily recall an incident that propelled Sayyadi Abba Ruma to limelight and reckoning with Yar’Adua.
The former Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources was said to have publicly accosted Buhari during the former military leader’s campaign tour of Katsina.
Though Ruma was said to have been attacked physically by irate followers of Buhari, the incident was said to have endeared Ruma to the heart of the late president.
Given this history, analysts say that Turai may not want to work with Buhari.
Also given the pecking order, other aspirants in the PDP appear not to stand much chance. Abubakar Atiku still has the bogey of former President Obasanjo to fight off.
Aliyu Gusau and Bukola Saraki appear as paper weights in the scheme of things, say sources close to the former first lady.
But with Jonathan’s humility coupled with his pronouncement on his declaration day in Abuja that he was running a joint ticket with his former boss and was committed to the late president’s programmes and vision, the former first lady is said to have been won over to Jonathan’s camp, it was gathered.
Also, an indication that Turai may hold no grudge against the president, say our source, is seen in how Muritala Yar’Adua, a nephew to the late president emerged as a minister in Jonathan’s cabinet.
As first lady, Turai was said to have stepped on toes, especially given the many allegations that she was the de facto president while her husband was ill.
Rather than turn her over to the wolves, Jonathan shielded her and the entire family from harm.

http://www.newsstarng.com/index.php/news/5264-2011-election-turai-backs-jonathanshuns-senator-over-ibb

Why have the mods allowed this Benfino cancer to spread throughout the whole forum? Ban this guy for pete's sake! @Topic, does Turai still have power?

slap1:

Why have the mods allowed this Benfino cancer to spread throughout the whole forum? Ban this guy for pete's sake! @Topic, does Turai still have power?

Turai has no power or political relevance. Without Yar Adua she is nothing same as folks like Aondoakaa , Ruma, Aliero, et al have been exposed as unclothed emperors who only gained influence through our former President, . Was there not talks of Turai's sons-in-law (eg Yuguda) taking over from Yar Adua ? Where are her sons-in-law today ? None of them even have the sagacity to enter the arena on their own merit now that Yar Adua is no more !!! They are all pathetic folks who have providence and the office of the Presidency to thank for where they found themselves. Their luck , and influence, ran out with the demise of Yar Adua . In serious nations Turai and others should face serious investigation for what they put Nigeria through.

For instance, a senator from her state, Katsina, Kanti Bello, the deputy director of the IBB Campaign Organisation, is now being avoided by the ex-president’s wife.
As a result of the development, the senator no longer goes to see the former first lady on account of what he perceives as a deliberate attempt by the ex-first lady to avoid him.
Recently, matters came to a head when the Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, also declared the senator a persona non grata of sort by withdrawing a car he had earlier given the senator.

Damn!

So who can the tribal mega-lord, Kanti Bello claim to be fighting for, when he has been disowned by both Turai and his own governor? It is hard not to conclude that he will cease to be a senator in 2011. Maybe, he'll have enough time to engage in treasonous diatribe o'rgies with his fellow cranks, Yakasai, Ciroma, Kaita etc.

Big lie

otokx:

Big lie

abi o.
Which news source be new star again

Isn't this the same TURAI who was demonized and labelled the Cabal leader back when Jonathan was considered an "Ordinary Boy Boy" in all this? Why would she choose to align herself with the very same man whose career she was accused, by many on here, of sitting on?

What do these characters have to say now on that? That she repented and decided Jonathan was the good guy? ROFLMAO!!

Jarus:

abi o.
Which news source be new star again

so if it's a lie,why not delete or lock it ?

~Bluetooth:

so if it's a lie,why not delete or lock it ?

I said it appeared to be a lie to me, as a private contributor, not as a Mod.
I have no reason to lock it, especially since he provided the source. If I see it as lie, others are entitled to see it as true.