The recent decamping of Jigawa State Governor,
Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki to PDP has generated political heat in the
state. Our correspondent in Jigawa, Mu�awiyya Bala Idris, interviewed the
state chairman of PDP, Alhaji Usman Alto Roni on the new political
development in the state. During the interview, Usman Alto Roni spoke
atlenght on the political future of Jigawa state among other issues. Below
is the full text of the interview:
Daily Triumph: May we know the political
situation in Jigawa, especially with regards to news of decamping to PDP by
Governor Turaki.
Alto Roni: The issue of decamping to PDP by
Governor Turaki is a surprise to us and became history in Nigerian politics
since a governor and the whole members of his cabinet, as well as, the ANPP
structures are decamping to a different party. Eventhough the country is
under democratic despensation. I still can recall that the Governor called
me to Kaduna where he held a meeting with all ANPP party stalwarts,. He told
me that he and his cabinet, together with ANPP structures have concluded
arrangement to decamp to PDP, and he is now informing me as chairman of PDP
of the move. He equally seeked my advice on what to do to formalize the
processes so as to work together. After I heard every thing from him, I
thanked him and thanked all his cabinet and ANPP members especially the
party leaders like chairman Rabo and his executives. I told Governor Turaki
that he should try to contact the minister of state for works Alhaji Saleh
Shehu or if condition warrants, we form a forum to include both the the
Governor and the minister so as to find ways on how the two parties can
merge together. After our discussion with Governor Turaki, I informed the
Honorable minister about the news of the decamping. The minister welcomed
the new political development and was very happy that Governor Turaki and
his entire cabinet are decamping to PDP what next is to inform the zonal
National vice chairman and Head-quaters of PDP.
We formed a forum, comprising my self, state
secretary of PDP the chairman of ANPP, Alhaji Badaru Rabo Aujara and
Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) Ahaji Lawan Ya�u Roni. We met with
the party�s zonal vice chairman North-west zone Dr. Bello Halliru and
briefed him about the Kaduna meeting and how the Governor has announced his
decamping to PDP. Dr. Bello Haliru was very happy and advised us that we
should go back to Jigawa and form a committee to finalise all outstanding
issues giving us. The decampees have the government at hand, we in the PDP
have the party, so that we should sit together and work on how to form a
government during the 2007 general election. The zonal vice chairman even
cited example of Kebbi state where governor Aliero did the same thing; but
their own was not as open as that of Jigawa state., He even told us that
they formed a committee to facilitate the merger of the two parties in Kebbi,
so eventhough Jigawa and Kebbi are not the same states, they have different
Political stuations, but he advised us to go back to Jigawa to do the same.
Dr. Bello Halliru directed us to meet with the National chairman of the
party, Chief Audu Ogbeh and inform him about the development. We went ahead
to the National chairman and met him with some of the principal officers of
PDP like national treasurer, Alhaji Umar, National Organizing secretary,
Alhaji Labaran Inuwa, zonal vice chairman, North East zone, Alhaji Ahmed and
chairman, PDP, Yobe and Kaduna states were all there at the National
secretariat of the party.
So before these eminent personalities Dr.,
Bello Halliru stood up and directed me to explain fully to the National
chairman. I introduced the SSG, Alhaji Lawan Ya�u Roni, chairman, ANPP and
his secretary. I congratulated the National chairman and informed him about
the new political development in Jigawa state, a situation where by the
governor and his cabinet and party structures are decamping to our great
party. I told him that we cannot just leave the matter to be in-house
because it is beyong that; so we decided to come together with zonal
National vice chairman so as to inform you formally on new political
development in Jigawa state, �this is the main issue that brought us to your
office.�
I also told him about the cordial relationship
existing between ANPP and PDP even before the issue of decamping arises. I
cited example of Sokoto Kebbi and Zamfara where there was report about
political intimidation among the other party leaders. any time there was to
be a meeting, they report about being harassed and intimidated. But in
Jigawa state nobody harasses us, non of the PDP officials ever had
experienced any harassment, so our relationship is cordial, the only
difference is we are in PDP, they in ANPP. However, that does not mean we
did n�t oppose the government�s policies we do oppose the government through
Radio and Newspapers.
After I explained fully the National chairman,
Chief Audu Ogbeh advised us to go back to Jigawa and form a committee that
will facilitate the merger. They have the government and we have the party,
let us harmonize among our selves; nobody can sacrifice his seat simply
because of the merger, they have structures, they have a chairman at state
and other officials at local governments level. The merger cannot make them
abandone all these structures, they must survive. The National chairman told
us that what ever we report from the side of the committee, at the end, a
formal reception, should be organized and all the big-wigs in the PDP
including president, vice president and PDP governors would be invited to
grace the occasion and receive the governor and his political associates.
We thanked the National chairman and other
National officers of the PDP, after that the SSG and Alhaji Badaru Rabo
Aujara explained that the Governor was not in the country, But he left
behind message of coming to you and to tell you openly that he is decamping
to PDP and ready to be the party�s member and abide by all its rules and
regulations.
We came back from Abuja and I briefed the
Honorable state minister of work, Alhaji Saleh Shehu on what transpared at
National secretariat.
Can you tell us the date fix for the reception
to formally receive governor Turaki to PDP, secondly can you tell us the
arrangement about the harmonization of positions among the officials of the
two parties?
A committee was formed and assigned to
facilitate the merger between the two parties, and to see how we can
harmonize and to work as one party. It is on this process that a date will
be fix for the formal decamping. The date will be announced immediately
after Sallah. The reception is not only for Governor Saminu, there are� some
other prominent people that joined PDP like Ali Sa�adu. He also made his
formal declaration about three months ago and we are working under PDP
together. On the issue of sharing positions, the committees from both the
two parties will sit together and deliberate upon. It is on the outcome of
the committee�s deliberation, that clarification will be made on who would
be what, either in Government or within the party. All we know is that there
are other positions that cannot be shared. The position of Governor, no
matter what the sharing formula will not go to PDP. So also is the party
chairman�s seat. Apart from these positions, all other seats can be shared.
What about the position of local government
chairmen., As you are aware PDP had challenged their election and described
it as un constitutional?
Yes, we challenged the election at the court,
Currently the issue is before the federal High court. I told you about the
committee, it is the committee that will decide on the matter,
Governor Turaki�s intension to decamp to PDP,
is to rubbish your names, so that by the end of the day, the issue of
probing his government will not arise; what can you say about this?
It is not true that Governor Turaki wants to use and dump us.
Whatever, his intension are clean and clear.
