South East governors and other major political office-holders, yesterday, stayed away from the installation of former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as Waziri Adamawa in Yola, Adamawa State, sparking fears of apparent disaffection within the party.

There had been mutterings over the approach of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar to South-East political office holders in the choice of his running mate, Mr Peter Obi.

The ceremony was graced by President Muhammadu Buhari by proxy; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, five PDP governors among others.

Ex-president Obasanjo, at the ceremony nevertheless, projected Atiku’s capacity to lead, saying he would not disappoint Nigerians.

Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; all three PDP governors and other prominent political leaders from the South-East were absent at the ceremony yesterday.

The only notable South-East leader was the one-time Atiku aide, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who served as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives after a stint as an aide to Atiku as vice-president.

The Wazirin Adamawa is the prime traditional office only next to the Lamido, who as the traditional ruler of the Yola emirate, is one of the paramount traditional rulers in Northern Nigeria.

Among other dignitaries present at the installation of Atiku as Waziri Adamawa were former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Governors Ibrahim Dankwambo, Seriake Dickson, Darius Ishaku, Abdulfatah Ahmed and Udom Emmanuel of Gombe, Bayelsa, Taraba, Kwara, and Akwa Ibom states respectively.

Also present were PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; PDP Board of Trustees chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin; two-time governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; former Chief of Army Staff, General Kenneth Minimah (retd); ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi; the lawmaker representing Bayelsa East, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce; immediate past governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu and erstwhile governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna among others.

Absence of S-East govs

The absence of the South-East governors came in the wake of concerns by senior officials of the party over the perceived disrespect Atiku had allegedly shown to the region’s political class since his emergence as the presidential candidate of the party.

That perceived disrespect was first pronounced last month when Atiku announced Mr. Peter Obi as his running mate after consultations with some governors and prominent party officials without any South-East politician involved. An attempt to make up for the gaffe penultimate Wednesday stoked further controversy when Atiku met with South-East leaders in Enugu but without the political class.

Neither Ekweremadu nor any of the PDP governors attended the meeting that was mostly graced by leaders of thought but who the politicians allege cannot deliver the votes.

Yesterday, some of the governors pegged their absence on previous commitments. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State said his absence was due to previous scheduled appointments.

“Far, far from it, we are working with him. Our governor was at his event last week. He could not come for this one because he has two engagements today, and in fact, I am talking to you from a ceremony,” Mr. Enyinnaya Apollos, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ikpeazu told Vanguard, yesterday.

South-East political leaders had been peeved that Atiku sat with political leaders from other geopolitical zones to decide on the choice of Obi and that they heard of the pick just as every other person.

Remarkably, a number of the political leaders expressing the opinion are those who had associated with the former vice-president.

“I am shocked that Atiku has not changed. His sense of entitlement can rob the PDP of this victory that everyone is expecting. The idea that he would go out to consult and relate with the feelings of people is not there,” a long time associate of the former vice-president told Vanguard.

Reconciliation

Moved by the development, Vanguard learned that some interested political associates have commenced moves to reconcile Atiku with the South-East political leaders. A meeting to that effect Vanguard gathered, is being planned between him and the political class in the coming week.

Why we did not attend Atiku’s installation — S-East Govs

Meanwhile, governors of the South East said they did not attend Atiku’s turbaning for different reasons that were neither coordinated nor on purpose.

Responding to the allegation that the South East governors intentionally boycotted the function, Chairman of South East Governors Forum, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, denied that it was a boycott.

Umahi, who responded through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, said: “There is nothing like boycott. His Excellency, Governor Umahi, is currently (last night) in Lagos attending Ndigbo Lagos Foundation.

“He didn’t boycott it, rather he is attending South East assignment. His Excellency, Peter Obi, is also here. Other governors are represented and if there is anyone boycotting, it should be personal because I know South East is not fully being controlled by PDP.

“There are other states controlled by APC and APGA and there is no way South East governors could be said to have boycotted it.”

S-East govs should gauge their people’s mood —Afenifere

Reacting to the development, last night, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, urged the South-East governors to gauge the mood of their people before embarking on the game.

The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin said:

“When the candidate of their party went to Enugu State, they were not there. A week after they went to the Villa to ask the President to do for them in three months what he could not do for them in three and half years. Now, they have an event in Yola and they were not all there. The advice to those governors is for them to gauge the mood of their people because there are some of them seeking re-election for a second term. Before they start this game, they should try and gauge the mood of of their people correctly "


Fore more visit

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/fears-as-s-east-govs-shun-atikus-installation/

2019 a year of surprises

Top 10,..most wanted.man in America.forget this man...is a colossal failure

if only Buhari could restore full local government autonomy.
Thanks bzuma. The NASS has already passed the bill.

BruncleZuma:


Factcheck: That bill has been passed and it's left for the state house of assemblies to do the needful.

https://allafrica.com/stories/201811130044.html
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.today.ng/topic/local-government-autonomy-bill/amp

These SE governors are up to something. Do they want to betray their brother?

Even Ekweremadu didn't show? This choice of Obi pain them no be small

shukuokukobambi:
These SE governors are up to something. Do they want to betray their brother?

They will.

Igbos do not know what they want at all. Their jealousy and beefing is on high grade. No wonder they are always flogged into the cue.

Atiku will struggle to even win big in SE. I foresee voters apathy at best.

The Waziri Adamawa will lose his state to PMB, no doubt.

PDP will need to work their fvcking a55 out to retain Gombe and Sokoto in the North.

Na now una go know say Buhari na father of una father for politics.

weyreypey:
if only Buhari could restore full local government autonomy.

The bill was rejected by the Senate headed by your demi-god Saraki. The man who always shouts "democracy is in danger" at any slight issue.

*Modified*
I have been informed with evidence that the Senate indeed passed the financial autonomy bill for the local governments. It's now with the various state of assemblies to pass same. 24 states are required to pass it to become a law but only about 10 have passed it so far.

weyreypey:

They will.

Atiku needs to win them back or else it'll be a long election night for him

Atiku na so life be

What will 5% do for Atiku? Slaves looking for who to consult them!

PassingShot:


The bill was rejected by the Senate headed by your Saraki. The man who always shouts "democracy is in danger" at any slight issue.

I have no demi god... Not even pro Saraki

South East wetin be una problem sef

If the SE wants to prove to be politically savvy, now is the time to fully align with APC/PMB to win landslide in 2019. Doing that is the only thing that can give them a credible claim to 2023 presidency and many neutrals will side with them.

Pitching their tent with an obviously doomed project in Atiku will only increase their anger and frustration after the election must have been won by PMB with the support of SW. And it will be idiotic and stupid to expect SW not to lay a legitimate claim to the presidency in 2023.

How a people blessed with reservoir of business acumen are always found lacking in strategies to succeed in politics is beyond comprehension. Could it be because of their politics of bitterness?

Their headache

weyreypey:


I have no demi god... Not even pro Saraki

Noted. But you're pro PDP especially at the center.

oyin44:
Top 10,..most wanted.man in America.forget this man...is a colossal failure

When did the actions of this pitifully bribed 'leaders' represent the thoughts of the people they govern?

APC has shown that all they are good at is bribing and rigging. But go offline and into the street, I'd be surprised if you find anyone who intends to vote that aging terrorist, Buhari, back into power.

In fact, just about "Sai Baba", It's broken bones you will be coming home with.

Forget the hundreds of NL accounts run by a single 10,500/month paid BMC, Nigerians are tired of Buhari; he must go. Even if a used sanitary pad is what replaces the Dullard, Nigeria will still pprogress more than it has in the past 3+ years.

This is not an igbo problem but a political one...

Those politicians are simply working... For or against is left to them but they are doing their work as mindless greedy, money driven, two timing sons of beaches! Reeking with the stench of a perverted thirst for power at all cost that we Africans have been force fed to believe is all politics!!!

Democracy in Africa is truely a demonstration of craziness!

PassingShot:
Atiku will struggle to even win big in SE. I foresee voters apathy at best.

The Waziri Adamawa will lose his state to PMB, no doubt.

PDP will need to work their fvcking a55 out to retain Gombe and Sokoto in the North.

Na now una gov know say Buhari na father of una father for politics

Smelly mouth has predicted but never common bet9ja two odd

Am keenly watching developments...

They fail to understand that if Atiku had opted for a less competent person than Peter Obi in the SE, he would loose even in the SE.

In that region every individual including non-indigenes have a mind of its own..

dem don port since last week

sluk:
Igbos do not know what they want at all. Their jealousy and beefing is on high grade. No wonder they are always flogged into the cue.

Nope, Igbos arent stupid that is all..

They know niether Atiku or Buhari is what this country needs.

Faced with two bad dumb choices they will pass...

Give us Donald Duke or Sowere then we will talk...

Until then Igbos dont care...

Atiku don enter one chance....Dave Umahi is a pro Buhari, he will help us to destroy PDP from within una neva see something

if you do anyhow for this form I will draw you immediately

Ex-president Obasanjo, at the ceremony nevertheless, projected Atiku’s capacity to lead, saying he would not disappoint Nigerians.

Diplomatically, Baba has created room for excuses. When time come Ebora of Own will simply say that, I told you that he will not disappoint me.