PDP crisis latest: Tukur cautions five northern governors

The PDP chairman asked them to respect elders.
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party continued on Tuesday as the National Chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, cautioned five northern governors who have been visiting former Nigerian leaders and President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Tukur cautioned Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).
The chairman said though the governors have the fundamental right to freedom of speech on issues of national importance, he would expect them to make comments with decorum, humility, and caution.
“As leaders whom the general public look upon as a role model, they are expected to show respect to constituted authority and the elders which includes Alhaji Bamanga Tukur who contributed immensely to the peace progress, development and advancement of this country,” the statement noted.
The statement also said “There are constitution limitations to this freedom and the leaders should show wisdom, caution, prudence and good counsel in their comments on national issues as their unguided utterances and calls can cause unnecessary political tension.”
The northern governors had visited former heads of state: Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, and Abubakar Abdusalam. They are among the PDP governors dissatisfied with Mr. Tukur’s leadership of the party and several actions taken by Mr. Jonathan.
The governors all supported Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers to emerge Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, against the interest of the PDP leadership and the presidency. They also paid a solidarity visit to Mr. Amaechi after violence rocked the state assembly recently; a visit condemned by the presidency.


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