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Tag: Action Democratic Party (ADP)

  • ADP suspends party chairman over alleged diversion of N200m

    Crisis of confidence is rocking the leadership of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) over alleged diversion of over N200 million, among other allegations.

    Consequently, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has suspended the national chairman, Mr. Yabagi Sani for allegedly diverting the funds into personal use.

    But Sani has dismissed the suspension order, claiming that the constitution of the party did not empower them NWC members to suspend him.

    The suspension order, signed by seven members of the NWC and dated April 26, 2019, listed 12 “illegal acts” against the party chairman. The party chiefs announced Alhaji Najeem Awodele as Acting National Chairman for the time being.

    A copy of the suspension order, obtained by our correspondent on Monday, stated that the N200 million allegedly misappropriated and diverted by Sani was the money realised from payments for Nomination and Expression of Interest forms by aspirants and candidates in the 2019 general elections.

    Sani was also accused of forging the signature of the National Secretary, Dr James Okoroma with which he presented a fake resolution to Polaris Bank and other banks for the removal of the National Treasurer, Chief Iboro Ige-Edaba as signatory to the party’s bank accounts.

    The party chair was also accused of constant physical attacks on ADP national officers and refusal to pay their remunerations for two years.

    The NWC members also alleged that Sani doctored the party’s constitution and criminal insertion of strange clauses meant to perpetuate himself in office as National Leader, Life Leader, Presidential Candidate, National Chairman and the only signatory to the party’s bank accounts.

    Also listed against Sani was the alleged use of his personal staff to run the affairs of the party against the provisions of the ADP constitution and non-disclosure of monetary donations to the party by some prominent Nigerians.

    “In view of the above and the need to reposition the party, a change in the leadership of the ADP has become inevitable. The NWC has decided to suspend Mr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani in order to enable him respond to all the allegations against him and to clear his name”, the document stated.

    Read Also: ADP to Alao-Akala: don’t rejoin APC

    The NWC members that signed the suspension order are Dr. James Okoroma (National Secretary); Chief Iboro Ige-Edaba (National Treasurer); Esther Oche (National Special Duties Secretary); Mr Obadiah Bichi (National Legal Adviser); Mr. Tope Salami (National Financial Secretary); Prince Edobor Oghosa (National Youth); and Dr. Chris Nzekwu (National Leader, PLWD).

    “Accordingly, former Agriculture Minister and Deputy National Chairman (South) of the ADP, Alhaji Najeem Awodele has been appointed Acting National Chairman by the NWC pending the conduct of congress,” the document added.

    In a swift reaction however, Sani, in a WhatsApp message to our correspondent on Monday, declared that he remained the National Chairman of the ADP.

    According to the party chairman who also doubled as the candidate of the ADP in the 2019 presidential election, the NWC members that suspended him, had themselves been suspended a long time ago.

    Sani said, “Let me make it clear that the purported suspension is self-defeating, dead on arrival and completely invalid. The so called NWC members are either former or suspended ADP National officers who are no longer members of the ADP NWC.

    “For instance Dr. James Okoroma knows he is no longer ADP National Secretary by the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of ADP which has since several months ago been duly communicated to INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission)

    “Mr. Obadiah Bichi who is purported to be the National Legal Adviser has since withdrawn his membership of ADP. By the ADP Constitution, the NWC cannot suspend the National Chairman.

    “In any event, none of the signatories to the purported resolution suspending the National Chairman is a member of ADP NWC. I therefore state categorically that I remain the National Chairman of the ADP”.

    Sani however, declined comments on the allegations of diverting N200 million, forgery of party documents and high handedness in the running of party affairs.

    “I will not want to comment about the false and damaging allegations made against my person, including misappropriation, forgery and high handedness in the running of the party; as those matters have already been submitted to a court of competent jurisdiction,” the party chair stated.

  • I will work for Adelabu, says Akala

    The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State and former governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala, Friday gave details of how alliance talks between his party and other opposition parties in the state broke down.

    He also revealed that he has decided to work with the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in the state, Adebayo Adelabu, to ensure his success in the March 9 governorship election, but still remains a member of the ADP.

    Alao-Akala made the revelation yesterday at his Bodija, Ibadan residence.

    His words: “I remain in ADP and all our candidates for the House of Assembly seats will stand the March 9th elections on the platform of the ADP with my full support but I will work for the victory of Bayo Adelabu.”

    He explained that his alliance with APC is based on the party’s belief that the ADP can perform optimally and has a strong grassroots network not only in Ogbomoso but also in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun and Oyo.

    “Our core values and philosophies as indicated in our ADP manifestos, ‘Rescue Mission Agenda, have been adopted by Bayo Adelabu with the Presidency as witness. I have therefore as a candidate of ADP, accepted to support Adelabu of APC for victory and therefore form a coalition government.

    “My solemn gratitude goes to our members, state and national leaders of ADP for the ample opportunity given to me to lead and fly the flag of the party. Though, my decision is a very tough one, it is for the progress of Oyo State.”

    Alao-Akala said his decision following the outcome of the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections was based on the outcome of some incidents.

    He said: “It is widely known that I initiated alliance talks with the main opposition parties in Oyo State vis-a-vis my great party – the Action Democratic Party ((ADP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) with my boss, the former governor of Oyo State and Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashid Adewolu Ladoja as mediator.

    Read also: Election results: Why Atiku must go to court – PDP

    “Meanwhile, during the alliance process, I received an emergency call from the Presidency. In the meeting with the Presidency, I was prevailed upon to work for APC. My response was that I should be given 48hrs to consult with my people, the opposition parties’ alliance committee as well as the teeming members, the leaders and the stakeholders of my great party, ADP.

    “On resumption of the alliance meeting, my boss (High Chief Rashid Adewolu Ladoja) told me point blank in the presence of other governorship candidates that I was not in consideration for Governorship due to my place of birth – Ogbomoso. According to him, “we need an Ibadan man to slug it out with another Ibadan man, which is Bayo Adelabu,” With the statement, my geographical place of birth is the only crime I committed.

    “Since I’ve been unfairly and technically booted out of the alliance talks, I consulted with my party stakeholders and supporters whose support have brought me this far. Having realised that my 2019 governorship agenda cannot be realised in isolation based on the present situation, the only option remaining for me is to form an alliance with Mr. Bayo Adelabu of APC.

    “I, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala – the Oyo State 2019 Action Democratic Party (ADP), have decided to form an alliance with the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adebayo Adekola Adelabu ahead of the March 9 Governorship and state House of Assembly Elections in the state. However, all the ADP candidates for the House of Assembly seats will go to the elections with my maximum supports.”

  • Rivers governoship candidate embarks on street sanitation

    The governorship candidate of “Action  Democratic Party (ADP), in Rivers State, Chief Victor Fingesi, has described Port Harcourt, the state capital, as too dirty for habitation.

    Fingesi spoke when he embarked on street and market sanitation in old township area of Port Harcourt as part of his campaign.

    The governorship hopeful during a sanitation exercise at Creek road market said, “We think that as we are campaigning, we are seeing dirt along where we are campaigning we think that it is not just good, so we decided to assist in getting rid of the dirt to allow for easy movement of vehicles and human.

    “There are so many dirts on the road middy, even surging into the roads and making movement of persons and vehicles difficult.”

    Asked what he was actually implying on the sanitation state of Port Harcourt. What I mean to say is that Port Harcourt is extremely dirty which is not good for the health of residents.”

    He called for volunteers, who could assist in cleaning up the city, suggesting thereafter for good and effective meaures to be put in place to ensure the sustenance of the healthy sanitation of the state.

    The Okrika-born politician expressed the need to professionalise sanitation and means of refuse collection for adequate result, promising to return Port Harcourt back to its garden city status after he was sworn in.

    “The way we collect our refuse must be done professionally, it cannot be done by friends of government, it cannot be done by people you want to reward, it must be done by professionals.

    ”This is important because sanitatiin is one of the key things for any country and state; it is responsible for our health, the cleaner the environment, the healthier everybody in it will liveand this is what the poiple of the state deserves,” he said.

    Traders and resudents of Port Harcourt township, where the exercise took place, lauded the giveenship hopeful, urged him to continue with the good work.

  • Breaking: Akala, Lanlehin, Alli form alliance against Adelabu

    Major opposition parties in Oyo State have formed an alliance against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship and House of Assembly election.

    The development will put the APC under intense pressure as the three parties, working together, commands large followership across the state.

    The alliance was formed on Friday in a meeting at the residence of the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Adebayo Alao-Akala.

    Alao-Akala, who is a former governor of the state, had indicated three weeks ago that opposition parties would form an alliance to end the reins of the APC in the state.

    But he declared that he was not working for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde.

    The Nation gathered from a reliable source close to the meeting of candidates that Alao-Akala (ADP), Olufemi Lanlehin of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Sharafadeen Alli of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) agreed to review the results of tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections to determine the structure of the full alliance.

    Read Also: I’m not in any alliance against Adelabu– Akala

    It was agreed the party, which performs best in polls tomorrow, will be supported in the governorship and House of Assembly elections on March 9.

    The source explained the alliance structure will spell out how the interest of the remaining two parties will be taken care of if the alliance succeeds in winning the election.

    “They agreed to wait for the result of the presidential and National Assembly election to determine which party will be supported in the governorship election.

    “They will review the result and work out the modalities for taking care of the interest of the two supporting parties. It will be a pure alliance,” the source said.

    If the alliance succeeds, the major parties in the governorship election will be three.

    This will put the APC and PDP on their toes as the three struggles to gain voters’ support.

  • Bankole pledges to tackle youth unemployment in Ogun

    Former Speaker Dimeji Bankole has pledged to tackle the worrisome youth unemployment in Ogun state which he said is a time bomb both to the state and the country.

    Bankole who is the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the Gateway state for the March 2 polls, added that there is a link between the ever growing unemployment rate and rising crimes in Ogun and the rest of the country.

    The former number four citizen on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made this known to reporters in Ota area of the state during his tour, pledging  that if elected, his administration would create mass employment for thousands of jobless graduates who could not find gainful employment after school.

    Bankole said: “One thing that everyone keeps complaining about is lack of jobs and opportunities for their children. My party is formed to address that challenge.

    Read Also: Accident kills 12 in Ogun

    “Ogun people are not interested in where the governor comes from, they want to know if he has the capacity to create jobs for the children who remain idle even after graduating from higher institutions. That is what our party promises: jobs, jobs, jobs for everyone.”

    Bankole, who also rued the deplorable state of roads in Ogun West Senatorial district, promised  to fix them in order to maximize the economic potentials of the zone, stressing he would not  tamper with funds meant for the development of Local Governments in the state.

     

  • Ondo ADP candidate urges for peaceful election

    Ahead of next month general elections, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) Candidate for Ondo North Senatorial District, Prince Foluso Adefemi has expressed the need for violence-free elections across the state particularly in Akoko area.

    The Senatorial candidate particularly urged traditional rulers in the area to impress it on their subjects to embrace peace before, during and after the 2019 elections.

    He said democracy thrives in an atmosphere devoid of rancour and acrimony, pledging his determination to prioritize health sector transformation if elected.

    According to him, his passion for development of the area and popularity among the constituents would give him edge to emerge victorious after the coming election.

    Adefemi who spoke during his campaign tours of the four local government areas in Akoko division decried in strong terms the decadence in the health sector.

    The ADP senatorial flag bearer criticized the past successive representatives in the area and governments at all levels for alleged neglect of health care delivery system for the benefit of the people.

    He described situation in the state health sector as precarious, noting that both World Health Organization (WHO) and the Sustainable Development Growth [SDG] Index frowned at health services that were inaccessible to the people.

    Read Also: Court sacks Ondo lawmaker as PDP candidate

    The ADP Candidate reiterated that as a lawmaker, it would be his priority to do everything humanly and legally possible to give everybody affordable, accessible and qualitative health services without discrimination.

    He said “Our Government Hospitals, Community Health Centers will no longer be death centres, nor mere consulting rooms but a place where life will be restored by qualified experts and personnel who will operate with most modern sophisticated equipment under a very conducive environment”

    Adefemi, who defected to APC last year following the post-primary crisis also promised robust representation and donation of six ambulances for the local government councils in the district.

    The ADP candidate visited traditional rulers in the area to receive their blessings on his aspiration.

    Residents expressed their solidarity with the candidate, describing Adefemi as the best material for Ondo North because of his good pedigree.

  • ADP elects guber candidate in Imo

    The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has elected  a legal practitioner, Success Obioma as it’s  governorship candidate in Imo State.

    Speaking with newsmen in Owerri,  shortly after been declared winner of the primary election, Obioma, said he will probe the Rochas Okorocha’s administration with a view to ensuring that people take responsibility for their actions.

    Obioma however promised to reviews the  various Noble ideas created by the current administration and turn them into policies that will be backed by adequate legislation by the State House of Assembly.

    According to him, Governor Okorocha has initiated numerous ideas in the  areas of free  education, rural roads and other infrastructure but we’re  not turned into policies , which he said could have made them more efficient.

    Read Also: APGA, Frank Nneji and Imo guber race

    He further promised to return the State to God,  stating that it will take divine  intervention to get the State  to work again.

    The Lawyer turned politician, assured that  he will place priority on free and quality education as the best tool for transformation if elected.

    He also promised to revive the agricultural sector as an avenue to create wealth and employment for the people of the state.

    Obioma also disclosed that his administration will restore the dignity of the traditional institution,you which he said has  been ridiculed by politicians, “the situation where our traditional rulers are reduced to errand boys by governors will not be allowed in my administration”.

    Meanwhile he lamented the collapse of infrastructure in the State, pledging to make it a priority when elected.

     

  • ADP to offer free ticket to disabled persons

    The Action Democratic Party (ADP) said on Thursday that persons living with disabilities interested in contesting any elective position on the platform of the party will be given free nomination form and encouraged to contest the election.

    Speaking when one of the governorship aspirants of the party collected his nomination form, National Organising Secretary of the party, Dr. Lynn Olisa, said her party is determined to turn around the fortune of the country; therefore it will be fair to all and sundry.

    Read Also:Nine Osun APC state officers defect to ADP

    The party said the step is to demonstrate its commitment to the provision of an all-inclusive government and democratic empowerment of women and the youth as enshrined in its cardinal principles.

    She disclosed that the party had since commenced its membership registration drive in all the wards and polling units across the country that the ADP would feature candidates for elections at all levels in the 2019 general elections.

    ADP’s National Secretary, Dr. James Okoroma, said the party was formed to bring about emergence of new crop of leaders who will actualise the dreams of Nigeria’s founding fathers, saying “even in our country Nigeria, all of you will agree with me that this is not the country Zik, Balewa and Obafemi Awolowo founded.

    “You will agree with me that ideals of these founding fathers have been betrayed and I believe that what we need now is a platform like ADP that will give room for emergence of new crop of leaders, who will give Nigeria a better direction, that is why we are here, ADP is a platform that will allow Nigerians irrespective of their race and religion to build our country.”

    While commenting on Barrister Success interest to be the next governor in Imo state, Okoroma said: “Imo state was created in 1976. The first civilian governor was Chief Sam Mbakwe but since he left as governor, leadership has collapsed in Imo state. All the governors we have had none has been able to offer effective leadership. So the ground is rift in Imo for a good change and believes Barr. Success will be an agent in that direction.”

    In his remarks, the governorship aspirant said promised to reconcile the Imo people with God if given opportunity as the next governor.

    “I have always told whoever cares to listen that I’m coming from a direction God himself is leading. I want to take my answer from the word of God. My mission is to rebuild the Imo state, my mission is to restore the presence of God to the Imo state and reconcile the people of the state to the presence of God.

    When asked what the incumbent governor Rochas Okorocha has not done well that he want to correct, Barrister Success simply said: “the governor in power now has a lot of good ideas but most ideas I will transform it to reality.”

  • ADP will not form evil alliance with any party – Chieftain

    The Action Democratic Party (ADP) says it will not form “evil” alliance with any political party.

    Thenationonline.ng reports that a chieftain of the party and aspirant for the Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, Mr Pius Alile, said this while addressing newsmen at the Benin Airport on Saturday.

    He said the ADP wanted to produce new leadership for Nigeria.

    He said going into alliance with any party would mean working in concert with the same politicians that looted the common patrimony of Nigerians.

    He said it was the reason the ADP rejected going into any alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    According to him, “My party will not form any evil alliance with any political party. My party will stand independently and contest for 2019.

    “The same people have been ruling us since 1999, so what difference do they want to make that will bring the desired change to the people of Nigeria.

    “We want to bring transparency into governance and accountability. We want to bring probity into governance and entrench the rule of law.

    “The PDP told us that they will rule this country for 60 years, what happened today?

    “This must change and put an end to suffering in the land.”

    Thenationonline.ng reports that the aspirant later inaugurated two boreholes he provided for Uselu and Eweka communities.

    He said the project was part of his free water scheme to communities in the constituency.

  • ADP aspirant provides borehole for Edo communities

    An aspirant for the Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal constituency, Mr. Pius Alile, has inaugurated two borehole projects he provided for Uselu and Eweka communities.

    Alile who is contesting under the Action Democratic Party (ADP) said the provision of the boreholes was part of his free water scheme to communities in the constituency.

    Speaking to newsmen shortly before the inauguration, Alile said he refused to defect to either the Peoples Democratic Party of the All Progressive Congress because Nigerians want a new vision.

    He said the ADP wants to produce new leadership for Nigeria.

    According to him, “My party will not form any evil alliance with any political party. My party will stand independently and contest for 2019.

    “The same people have been ruling us since 1999, so which different do they want to make that will bring the desired change to the people of Nigeria.

    “We want to bring transparency into governance and accountability. We want to bring probity into governance and entrenched the rule of law.

    “The PDP told us that they will rule this country for 60 years, what happened today? APC is also swimming in that arrogance, thinking that they will also rule us in that manner. This must change and put an end to suffering in the land. APC and PDP will go into extinction as we can all see.”