PDP chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, right and President Goodluck Jonathan[/caption]The task before Chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Adamu Muazu is not an easy one.
The former governor of Bauchi State came on board at a time that crisis rocking the ruling party was at its peak: His predecessor, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has just resigned in order to halt further balkanisation of the party as a result of defection in the ranks of governors, five in all – Mr. Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Alhaji Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara) from PDP to the All Progressive Congress (APC); followed by massive movement of 37 lawmakers in the House of Representative into the APC.
Muazu is expected to pull his weight by influencing the governors and the lawmakers to see the need to sheath their sword and return to the fold. For those who know him, this is not an impossible mission, though quite daunting.
Former Commissioner for Information in Imo State, Elvis Agukwe believes that the choice of Muazu could not have come at a better time.
Besides, founding member of the party and former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, the election of Muazu is indeed a confirmation of his pedigree as a leader.
“Your election is a confirmation of your robust pedigree in leadership at various strata of the society and shows the confidence the party has in your capacity to lead the biggest political association on the continent”, he said, stressing that he is indeed a round peg in a round hole.
“This is an enormous challenge and call to duty once more. I have the conviction that you will excel and bring a new lease of life to our party that is in dire need of stability. Perhaps, your greatest task as you mount the noble saddle is to reconcile aggrieved members of the family, particularly those who recently defected over some grievances. I wish you a very successful tenure in this prodigious assignment,” the former governor said.
In his congratulatory message, former Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, describes the appointment of Muazu as a call to serve our fatherland.
“It is a call which bestows great responsibility on your shoulders”, he said, adding that Muazu’s emergence is nothing but a clear manifestation of his visionary and purposeful disposition and his immeasurable contribution to the growth of the party.
Besides commending his ability to discharge his duties effectively, Tukur expressed optimism that Muazu would leave an indelible mark in the area of rebuilding the party in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Born June 11, 1955, the PDP chairman ruled Bauchi state from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007 during which he projected himself as a detribalised Nigerian, a disciplinarian and a man not new to crisis.
Mrs. Doja Salami, a TV journalist who served in Bauchi as a member of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) while Muazu was governor described him as a friendly person that approached governance of Bauchi State with alot of finesse.
“He concentrated so much on doing roads and infrastructure renewal to such an extent that he transformed the whole state in a short time in addition to brining the crisis that rocked the state during the period to a halt”, she said, adding that though she never knew him before them , the then governor ensured that she and a number of NYSC members that were exceptional in service were employed in the state civil service. She also spoke in glowing terms about how he protected Southerners serving in the North and reassured them of their safety and protection in the state.
For PDP chairman in Ondo State, Ebenezer Alabi, Muazu’s election signals a new dawn in the life of PDP in Nigeria.
“ People have been agitating for the removal of Bamanga Tukur and God intervened, in his own volition, he resigned honourable, as people were expecting that his resignation will bring sharp division in the party. But to God be the glory, it was a very smooth and peaceful change of guard in PDP and the nomination of Alhaji Adamu Muazu was through consensus which means he enjoys the confidence of all stakeholders in PDP. So we are expecting him to swing into action immediately and justify the confidence reposed in him by reaching out to the aggrieved people who have left the party to plead with them and ask them to return to the fold.”
Although, Muazu seems to have done well in the past when it comes to managing crisis, he is on the other hand not complacent. “I do not claim that I have monopoly of wisdom to turn the fortunes of the PDP around. But I believe that if we all resolve here and now to turn around the dwindling fortunes of the PDP, the party will regain its lost glory in record time and remain the toast of Nigerians again.”
Speaking at his formal inauguration, the chairman explained that 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 tea cup. 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. We needed someone who can build the party, who can reach out to the people and be friendly with them; someone who can bring the party together”, he said and assured state chairmen of their liberty.
“I won’t tamper with any of your structures, including that of Yuguda. I won’t tamper with any of your structures. Whatever injustice done to members would be corrected. We will apologise to those the party offended”, he said and pleaded with Lamido to help reach out to the five governors before the envisaged reconciliation committee comes on stream, stressing that being a member of the “rebel” G-7 Governors, Lamido should be able to influence the five governors.
“PDP made most of the people and we expect that whatever be the case, we should remain within and let us slog it out and let us correct the needful for us to move forward. With my colleague and I in the PDP leadership I want to assure you that we would look at everything that had passed that had led to our party to be reducing in number and in size and we will address this.
“Whatever injustice that had been done we are going to correct it we will be bold enough to say sorry to those that had been offended”, he said, adding that a high level reconciliation committee would be set up after due consultation with stakeholders.
“I am sure that nobody will like to leave his home not even a fool will leave a home such as the PDP. PDP is best home and best family to be. Those of them that have gone, I wish to appeal to you to please come back home. I appeal to you to have a sense of patriotism for your party. The party has offered you a lot, reflect, think and come back our doors are open,’’ he said.
Born in Boto, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State Mu’azu was educated at the Gindiri Boys Secondary School, Bauchi between 1971 and 1975 where he obtained distinction in the West African School Certificate Examination. He then proceeded to the School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Quantity Surveying.
Muazu worked as a Quantity Surveyor/Project Manager in the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social Welfare, Youth, Sports and Culture in Kano State. By 1983, he was back in Zaria where he bagged a Master of Science degree in Construction Management. He served as property manager of the Bauchi State Investment and Property Development Company for a while before proceeding to Birmingham University in the United Kingdom for another Masters degree in Construction Economics.
On his return to Nigeria, Muazu worked as a businessman in the private sector. Between 1984 and 1987, he was chairman of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah. From 1986 to 1990, he was Chairman, Benue-Plateau Construction Company in Jos. He was also a member of the Bauchi State Scholarship Board during this period.
Between 1987 and 1997, he served in a number of capacities including director, Nigeria Ports Authority and a member of the Bauchi State Rural Development Council from where he dabbled into politics. Mu’azu is a Muslim, married and blessed with seven children.
Emmanuel Ukudolo
