Newly inaugurated PDP Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu promise not to interfere in state affairs

A former Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, was on Monday in Abuja inaugurated as the new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Mu’azu replaces Dr. Bamanga Tukur, who resigned last Thursday following pressure on him by the PDP governors to do so. 

During his inauguration, Mu’azu lamented that all was not well with the PDP.

Lamenting that he had watched “the dwindling fortunes” of the PDP from 2003 to date, he pledged that as a means of halting the trend, he would not interfere with state structures of the party which are controlled by governors.

He said he was aware that constant disagreements between the national chairman of the party and governors, were usually caused by the interference in the running of the party at the state level.

As a practical demonstration of his promise, he disclosed that he had already entered into agreement with his state (Bauchi) Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda.

Turning to the PDP governors present during his inauguration, Mu’azu said, “I won’t tamper with any of your structures, including that of Yuguda. I won’t tamper with any of your structures.”

Mu’azu, a former governor of Bauchi State, however, pleaded with the governors “to allow the (state) chairmen of the PDP to register everyone interested in joining the party in their states.”

Stressing his committment to restoring the lost glory of the PDP, he begged for the support of members of the party.

He said “ I have helplessly watched the dwindling fortunes of our party from 2003 to date. From controlling a record of 28 states in 1999 down to 23. This situation is unacceptable and it must change.”

The PDP currently controls 18 states due to the defection of five of its governors to the All Progressives Congress.

Mu’azu, who noted that the party had for several months been on the front pages of newspapers for negative reasons, said he was optimistic that it would surmount all its problems.

He said that the era of questionable primaries by the PDP were over.

The ex-governor said, “The beginning of credible, free and fair elections starts with credible, free and fair primaries. The PDP, as the leading party, must therefore, lead the way for other parties to follow. We cannot and will not condone questionable primary elections.

“In the last few months, the PDP has occupied front pages of our newspapers with negative headlines. Most political analysts predicted that the end of the gains had come.

“Over the years, the PDP has developed an internal conflict resolution mechanism. So why false prophets were predicting its collapse, insiders knew that the crisis was a storm in a teacup.

“Today, we have shown to the world an instant cure for what looked like a terminal disease. Indeed, we have demonstrated our political maturity and sagacity as the number one party in Africa.

“There is no doubt that all has not been well with our party. However, the crisis that has rocked the party is a common phenomenon with large parties.”