PDP CRISIS: nPDP Gains Ground In NASS

[Shola Sholaz]

THE apparent decision of the Presidency to go hard on non-compliant members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the National Assembly appears to be favouring the factional new PDP.
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It emerged, at the weekend, that the factionalisation of the PDP may have become formalized with the enrolment of the request letter from the National Chairman of the nPDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje for a meeting with members in the votes and proceedings of the House.
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The change towards a hard line stance was formalised last Friday with the removal of Senator Joy Emodi as the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters.
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With the development, there were fears in some government circles at the weekend that plans to present the 2014 budget proposals to the National Assembly next month may be deferred until a conclusive solution is found to the PDP crisis.
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There were concerns that the tilt could jeopardize the early presentation of the 2014 budget proposals and possibly lead to the loss of the party majority in the House of Representatives.
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Sources in Abuja disclosed that under tentative plans, President Goodluck Jonathan was to present the 2014 budget plans in the second week of October.
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That proposal it was learnt may no longer be guaranteed after members inclined to the Baraje faction put the Bamanga Tukur led- PDP on notice that the interests of the administration could no longer be guaranteed.