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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have disagreed as they attempt to woo former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana.
A former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, implored the former Senator to join the APC to further advance his service to humanity.
Yari, who spoke yesterday, during a book launch, entitled, “Jerry Gana, stewardship and integrity,” authored by Simon Musa in Abuja, to mark the 80th birthday of Gana, said the former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) should consider the APC.
Represented by Senator Tijani Kaura, he argued that there was no better place than the APC.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, corroborated Yari’s claim.
But PDP national chairman, Tanimu Turaki, faulted their claim, adding that Gana was still a member of the PDP.
He described him as a man of credibility, integrity, politician’s politician, icon, enigma and an institution.
“He is somebody who has achieved success in academics, public life, politics and family life, as well as in his private life and in everything that he ventured into.”
He assured Nigerians that the new PDP would make President Gana a possibility someday, adding that they would allow the people to decide what they want, how they want it and when they want it.
“The new PDP will ensure that there is transparency, fairness, equity and justice in whatever process we do.
“If you have integrity, like Prof. Gana, that is all you need in the new PDP to make it to the ballot paper.”
Meanwhile, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, described Gana as a man of integrity who is thorough and intelligent, adding that the former lawmaker does not cover up any form of misconduct.
“He is a man of clean, clear ideas; a man of clean, clear behaviour, clean, clear relationships, and for him, whatever task you give him, he will try to do it to the best of his ability.
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“So, when he says to you, if you are a teacher, you teach well, he means it, and if you make him a teacher, he will also teach you well.
“On behalf of my family and all of us who worked together in government, a government that you are a pillar of, the party that you are a foundation member of, let me, on behalf of all of us, wish you a very happy birthday and many happy returns.
“We all join you in celebrating and thanking God for your life; it is a great pleasure working with you in the party and the government,” he said.
Also, former President Jonathan said Gana had been a distinguished elder statesman who dedicated many decades of his life to serving the country in various capacities.
Jonathan said at 80, Gana’s life stood as a symbol of purposeful leadership and national inspiration.
“Your life of dedication, integrity and impact, continues to motivate generations across different spheres of our endeavour.
“As we celebrate this milestone and unveil your book, I commend your visionary leadership and outstanding service to our country.
“You have contributed immensely to shaping national discourse, guiding public policy and nurturing democratic values,” he said.
Former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who was the reviewer, said the book has 425 pages and four parts, covering Gana’s birth, early life, his family and public life as a politician and an administrator.
Represented by former Vice Chancellor of the Benue State University, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, Osinbajo noted that the book failed to explain how Gana managed to be a friend of all administrations right from the military days.
According to him, the book was also silent on the role the former minister played as an adviser to Obasanjo during the third-term agenda saga.
Gana said he would not leave the PDP, adding that the party “is now in his system.”
He hailed the former presidents, vice presidents, serving and former ministers and legislators for gracing the occasion.
He also appreciated the author of the book as well as all those who worked so hard to make the ceremony a success.
