Strong indications emerged yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party is trying to woo the recently-released Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, to win Yobe and Borno states from the All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP).
The President and his strategists have also launched a fresh plot to win more states in the North-West in 2015.
It was learnt that the permutations of the presidency is that the control of some states in the North-West and North- East could leave the North divided in 2015.
The presidency was said to be trying to adopt the strategy of ex-President Shehu Shagari who in 1982 granted state pardon to the late Biafran leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
The pardon had enabled the defunct ruling National Party of Nigeria(NPN) to make inroads into the South-East which was then controlled by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe-led Nigerian Peoples Party(NPP).
Investigation also indicated that PDP is trying to use Al-Mustapha leverage to checkmate its rebellious governors like Rabiu Kwankwaso(Kano), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).
A reliable source said: “The plot is a two-dimension type. The PDP wants to bank on Al-Mustapha’s image to capture Yobe, Borno and Zamfara being controlled by ANPP.
“The renewed political romance between President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Governor Ahmed Yerima of Zamfara State seems to be pointing to this desperate bid by the President and his strategists to make inroads into the North-East and North-West.
“Yerima had taken some marabouts to the President some weeks ago to “pray” for Jonathan’s good health and 2015 agenda.
“Besides, you will recall that a few months ago, Yerima and ex-Governor Modu Ali Sheriff met with the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, in Abuja. So, the plot was conceived a few months back, but Al-Mustapha might be used to crystallize it.
“The larger picture is to change the political tempo in the North by bringing Al-Mustapha into the PDP to reduce the influence of some out-of-presidency favoured Northern governors like Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wammako ( Sokoto); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).”
The source, however, said the prime targets of Al-Mustapha’s deal are Yobe and Borno states.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that some PDP chieftains have already made a proposal that the way to end the domination of the ANPP in Yobe and Borno states is to make Al-Mustapha the arrowhead of the party’s plot.
Findings showed that the Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Yerima, had allegedly met with Al-Mustapha and hosted a dinner in honour of the ex-CSO.
Checks indicated that the PDP had initiated secret talks with Al-Mustapha on why he should team up with the party to improve the lot of his people in Yobe.
Although it was unclear as at press time on Al-Mustapha’s disposition, it was gathered that some PDP bigwigs have already penciled down the ex-CSO for the governorship slot as its automatic candidate.
The leakage of the plot has created a cold war between Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State and the Minister of Finance.
It was learnt that the minister was allegedly shunned by the governor on Tuesday when he brought some presidential relief materials to Damaturu (Yobe State capital) for victims of Boko Haram.
The cold shoulder rubbished plans by the minister and the presidential delegation to make a political gain from the relief materials.
A highly-placed source said: “ The PDP is determined to control Borno and Yobe states. This is why Al-Mustapha’s option is on its card at present.
“But Al-Mustapha has not made any commitment to join partisan politics or not.
“The Governor of Yobe State is, however, not taking the plot lightly leading to a cold war between him and the Minister of State for Finance.
“I think other Northern political leaders and governors are still studying the situation.”
SOURCE
via 247naijagossip
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