President Jonathan Appoints Bamanga Tukur Chairman Of Nigeria Railway Corporation

The immediate past National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Bamanga Tukur has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Railway Corporation. The news was announced by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sam Nwaobasi.

President Goodluck Jonathan has also approved the appointment of Ghaji Ismaila Bello as Director General of the National Population Commission with effect from January 8, 2014.

Commenting on Mr. Tukur's resignation last Thursday, President Jonathan said:

"(...) Let us really thank the working committee led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. They have done very well. He didn't just wake up to be chairman of our party, he has paid his dues. He had held several offices and worked for this country and he has done very well.

"For us to make sure that we rest these issues, the party chairman agreed to step aside. ... Myself and the chairman will go to the State House for some issues that we need to discuss. He is not guilty in anyway. I am going to give him a tougher job than that of party chairman."

It will be recalled that Mr. Tukur (b. 1935) resigned from his duties as the National Chairman of the PDP last week, and was replaced on Monday by former Bauchi governor Adamu Mu'azu.

Mr. Tukur succeeds Kawu Baraje as the NRC chairman. Mr. Baraje resigned amidst the PDP crisis in late 2013. A former factional chairman of the PDP, he has defected to the opposition, the All Progressives Congress.

President Jonathan is currently away in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. Earlier today, it was revealed that he officially introduced the list of ministerial candidates to the Senate.