Jonathan loyalists gain upper hand •Anti-presidency forces in retreat

As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holds its mini-convention in Abuja tomorrow, loyalists of President Goodluck Jonathan have strengthened their control of the party structures, with reports indicating that the convention will spring no surprises.

Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that anti-presidency forces were in retreat, with loyalists of the president consolidating their hold, following earlier revolt by some governors and disquiet over alleged automatic ticket for President Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election.

As part of their consolidation plan, Nigerian Tribune was told that consensus arrangement was being enforced for the positions that were open for contest, while zoning of offices to states was helping to screen out aspirants considered to be against the president.

It was gathered that the convention had also been organised in a manner that restricted the agenda to direct filling of vacant positions such as the deputy national chairman, deputy national secretary, national publicity secretary, deputy national secretary, national women leader, deputy national women leader, national youth leader, national legal adviser, national treasurer, deputy national legal adviser, among others.

Insider sources hinted the Nigerian Tribune that there was an adopted presidential list which would still be subjected to normal voting to confirm electoral superiority of the president’s camp.

According to a source, the president’s field men had anointed some aspirants, though it was gathered that many aspirants who purchased nomination forms were president’s men.

“There is anointed list and voting will show clearly who is anointed for the various offices. Other aspirants not anointed are not necessarily enemies of the president. But decisions are taken on who to use for the various offices for various reasons,” the source said.

“ I can tell you that Chief Uche Secondus is the next national deputy chairman and Mrs Kema Chikwe is the adopted national women leader, among others. Fact is, the convention will have no surprise, just as our NEC meeting went without any fuss,” the source said.

Reports indicated that plots for an uprising had been nipped in the bud, with the carrot and stick strategies adopted by the party leadership.

A party chief told the Nigerian Tribune that “many of the angry governors are facing so many issues. Well the reconciliation is still on but politics continues as usual.

“We are not saying we are fully reconciled. Our point is that old revolt cannot be revived again. The party chairman and the president are in full charge,” the party chief from South East stated.

Security beefed up in Abuja
Ahead of the convention, security had been beefed up generally in the entire capital city of Abuja and its environs, following the uncovered plans to disrupt the convention.

Findings revealed that already, joint security forces comprising military personnel, mobile police and regular policemen, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Security Service (DSS) and other para-military outfits had been mobilised from other states to the capital city to complement those on the ground, for effective security before, during and after the convention.

It was gathered that all the heads of the nation’s security agencies were holding series of high level meetings to map out strategies on how to secure the city for a peaceful national convention, while armed and plain clothed security personnel were being deployed in strategic places such as the popular Eagle Square, venue of the convention; hotels, recreation centres, places of worships, security installations, among others.

In addition, all the roads leading to the capital city had been placed on security watch, with a mandate that suspected vehicles with crowd on board should be thoroughly checked to confirm the identities of the occupants.

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