The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adamu

  • PDP woos defectors with money, automatic tickets

    PDP woos defectors with money, automatic tickets

    Saraki, Abe, Adamu, Ake, others to Mark: we’re now for APC

    SCRAMBLING to stave off more defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been making mouth-watering offers to senators and members of the House of Representatives.

    The offers may have accounted for the defection of some members of the House to the PDP yesterday, The Nation learnt.

    The PDP is said to be targeting senators and members of the House from Zamfara, Sokoto, Nasarawa and Kaduna states.

    Some PDP stalwarts in the Northwest have mounted a “one-on-one lobbying“of senators and members of the House who defected to the APC.

    It was gathered that in some instances, the spouses and other relations of some of the lawmakers are being urged to prevail on them to dump the APC.

    Some of the affected members of the National Assembly have confided in their colleagues that they have been under tremendous pressure to defect to the PDP.

    Some of the lawmakers found the baits irresistible and had to bow to the pressure, sources said.

    Some of the offers are:

    •governorship tickets;

    •automatic tickets to the National Assembly in 2015;

    •input into the emergence of PDP executives at the ward, local government, constituency/senatorial district – as may be applicable;

    •employment and constituency projects;

    •protection from harassment by their godfathers;

    •prospect of wielding contacts in a PDP government to earn more money.

    There were allegations of monetary inducements of between $20,000 and N50million, but these could not be immediately ascertained last night.

    Neither the affected lawmakers nor those levelling the allegation were prepared to comment on the allegations as at the time of filing this report.

    The development was said to have been brought to the notice of the House leadership, which was trying to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the allegation.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The PDP has been desperate to woo back those who defected to the APC.

    “A member of the House from Kano State has been promised the party’s governorship ticket if he dumps the APC. The influential member refused to defect to the PDP with ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.

    “The offers keep on increasing as part of the bid by PDP to retain its hold on the National Assembly.”

    A lawmaker said: “The PDP has been targeting members of the National Assembly from Zamfara, Sokoto, Nasarawa and Kaduna states. The party is concerned that it is virtually losing the Northwest to the opposition.

    “We have heard of cases of alleged monetary inducement, but we are looking for an opportunity to get a proof to present to the public. We heard that some members of the House had been promised between N100million and N150million. This is why anti-corruption agencies should come in. Let them put all of us on surveillance; they should monitor our financial transactions.

    “You know even a governor in North-Central cried out about a week ago that some members of the National Assembly had been induced. I know the lid will soon be blown open.”

    A principal officer in the House, who pleaded not to be named, said: “If any infraction on the part of a lawmaker is proven beyond reasonable doubt, we will apply appropriate sanctions.”

     

  • Muazu, Umar, Gambo, Adamu, Waziri in the race for party chair

    Muazu, Umar, Gambo, Adamu, Waziri in the race for party chair

    Six names are on the cards as the battle to succeed Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who quit as Peoples democratic Party (PDP) chairman yesterday , hots up.

    The President’s men, it was gathered last night, are tinkering with the list, to pick the most ‘politically’ eligible of the lot.

    They are the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar(Gombe State); former Governor Adamu Muazu (Bauchi), a former member of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Wakil (Borno), former National Chairman of the Grassroots Democratic Movement(GDM) Alhaji Gambo Lawan(Borno); former Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) President Ambassador Hassan Adamu(Wakilin Adamawa) from Adamawa State and former Minister of Commerce Ambassador Idris Waziri(Taraba).

    Three groups, it was learnt, have emerged on the search for Tukur’s successor.

    They are the President’s Strategy Team (PST) being coordinated by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson; a group being led by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and the Board of Trustee (BoT) leaders/ PDP Governors Forum headed by Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    The groups have not been able to reach a consensus on the choice of national chairman, a decision which PDP’s National Executive Committee(NEC) has deferred till Monday.

    It was learnt that the Dickson-led PST met yesterday for hours to consider which of the candidates will be most suited for the job.

    The PST, it was gathered, has drawn up seven criteria, which are hinged on the prospective chairman’s ability to deliver the party’s ticket to President Jonathan.

    The criteria are:

    •Being a committed democrat and team player

    •Rich experience in politics and party administration

    •Ability to reconcile aggrieved members of the party

    •Readiness to reorder PDP for electoral victory in 2015 in at least 25 to 28 states

    •A good listener who will have respect for all organs of the party

    •Must be a political asset and not a liability to PDP

    •A candidate who will ensure free and fair primaries

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The search for a new chairman actually started on Wednesday morning when Tukur’s exit became inevitable. I can tell you that we have six candidates so far but the list is inexhaustible due to ongoing permutations.

    “With Tukur in charge, the President’s strategists had taken the second term ticket of Jonathan for granted. But his exit has left this flank open and it has become important to be strategic before the new National Chairman is hijacked by vested interests.

    “This is why Governor Seriake Dickson is leading the strategy team to ensure that all is tactically okay for the President. The team is very strong on Mohammed Wakil.

    “ The First Lady and some National Executive Committee (NEC) members are, however, working on Idris Umar because he is less controversial out of the six.

    “For instance, the choice of Muazu will upset Governor Isa Yuguda and some stakeholders in Bauchi. And there is no point creating crisis in any state again. There is still a cold war between Yuguda and Muazu.

    “The strategists of the President are uncomfortable with Muazu, who is an in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. It is like handing over the party to Atiku. They cannot take such a risk.

    “As for Mohammed Wakil, apart from being a former member of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003, he has no solid political base because Borno belongs to the opposition. He has limited political clout to win mileage for PDP in 2015.

    “The strategists believe that a PDP National Chairman must have a strong political base. Although Wakil is loved by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State( a loyalist of the President), some PDP leaders said the choice of PDP National Chairman must not be personalised.

    “Regarding the Minister, he is rated as a loyal and contented party man. He was the anointed governorship candidate of the party for Gombe State in 2011 but he was denied the ticket at the last minute. Yet, he accepted his fate and worked with Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.

    “His sincerity, patience and political maturity earned him a ministerial slot. The thinking of the First Lady and some PDP leaders is that he can succeed Tukur.

    “The Minister’s only challenge was his pro-Jonathan 2015 project which landed him in trouble recently when he bought many cars running into millions of naira. There had been pressure on the Minister to account for the fortunes he is spending on the campaign in Gombe State.

    “It is left to NEC to decide who to pick among the six. Horse-trading will continue throughout the weekend.”

    Some BoT members, it was learnt, are pushing for Gambo Lawan, Ambassador Hassan Adamu, and ex-Minister Idris Waziri who was present at the 80th birthday celebration of BoT Chairman Chief Tony Anenih for what a source described as “essentially tactical.”

    Another source added: “The position of some BoT members is that Lawan and Adamu had been tested as administrators either in politics or public office. Lawan was also one of those who contested against Tukur. Adamu’s setback may be his old age and strict disciplinary culture which may not be acceptable to the hawks in PDP.

    “Ex-Minister Idris Waziri is rated as brilliant, intelligent and a peace-building figure. The fears about him have to do with the fact that he served under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has mutual respect for him.”

    A member of the NWC, who played a key role in the ouster of Tukur, said: “By Sunday, we will know who will be the next National Chairman of the party. It is too early for me to tell you now because consultations and horse-trading are ongoing.

    “We are looking at all the candidates that have been thrown up by the North-East. We will screen all of them thoroughly to avoid any slip this time around”.

  • CHRISTMAS GIFT: Adamu dedicates COPA Lagos title to Jonathan

    CHRISTMAS GIFT: Adamu dedicates COPA Lagos title to Jonathan

    • Awaits Presidential handshake

    Head coach of the Nigerian Beach Soccer team, Supersand Eagles, Audu Adamu has dedicated the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer title to President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The Sand Eagles defeated Senegal 4-2 in the final match to retain their title and a visibly joyous Adamu informed SportingLife that the team is looking forward to meeting the Nigerian President for the first time despite their achievements over the years.

    “Before the start of the competition, I told Nigerians that I would give them a Christmas gift. I know my team, even if Brazil comes here I will win the cup. We’ve been together for six years, the players know themselves and you can see the way they play. When we started this competition we were playing ‘kick-and-follow’ but now we play jogo bonito; they are enjoying themselves and I thank God for that.

    “I dedicate this victory to His Excelency, President Goodluck Jonathan. We’ve never seen him before but I know this time around we will be able to thank him in person. We thank God for helping us to give him a Christmas gift and I hope we get a handshake from him too,”he said.

    Speaking on the match against Senegal, Adamu praised his players for their performance despite the team missing the services of their captain, Isiaka Olawale and striker Batholomew Ibenegbu due to injury.

    “The players were fantastic as usual despite the unavailability of Olawale and Ibenegbu. Their absence was not felt because I have capable replacement for every player”, he said.

  • Adamu free again

    Adamu free again

    • FIFA ban ends

    The three-year ban on former Nigeria Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA Executive Committee member, Dr. Amos Adamu, slammed on him by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) three years ago has expired, thus making the Nigerian high profile sports administrator free again to participate in football activities within and outside Nigeria.

    The FIFA ban on Adamu, a retired Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), expired at 12 midnight on October 19, making him a free man again from October 20.

    But, contrary to expectations, Dr. Adamu has declared that he is not in a hurry to return to football administration in CAF, FIFA and West African Football Union (WAFU).

    “My interest is not to rush back to the international federations, but I am delighted that my ban has expired and I am free to contribute to the development of football and sports generally in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large,” Adamu said.

    The former WAFU president noted that he learned lots of lessons during his period in the cold, and on return now, he will be delving into sports business and not sports administration as was the case before his ban.

    He continued: “My focus is different now and those expecting me to rush back to football administration will be disappointed. I want to do serious business in sports. I am now a different person. This is the new Amos Adamu.

    “I went through some transformations which have been worthwhile. I am now a different person, wiser than before.”

    Adamu expressed delight in the support given to him during the period of his travails by the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Sports Ministry and the National Sports Commission (NSC) under the leadership of Professor Taoheed Adedoja, who stood firmly in his defence.

    “I am also grateful to the leadership of the National Assembly who made frantic efforts to ensure that I was not unjustly incarcerated after presenting them with documented evidence both in print and video.”

    The former Director of Sports Development stressed that, his consolation, despite the three-year ban, was the FIFA action which cleared him of all corruption charges and limited his offence to that of ethics violation.

    Adamu was banned in 2010 after the FIFA World Cup in South Africa following a petition sent to the world football governing body by the UK Bid Committee for the FIFA World Cup.

  • Amos Adamu embraces 60 quietly

    Amos Adamu embraces 60 quietly

    Former Director General of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Amos Adamu, has not been visible in recent times. The last time he was in the news was when he was fingered in an alleged World Cup bribery scandal. After his public denial of the allegation as baseless, he was suspended as a member of the Technical Committee of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and he vanished from public glare.

    Even when he clocked 60 a few weeks ago, he made the celebration a low-key event. The event was held at his Haven event centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Happenstances gathered that only a few of his close associates attended the ceremony. They included the likes of Princess Bola Jegede, Mike Itemuagbor, Amaju Pinnick, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo and a few others.

    From what was gathered from insiders, Adamu appears to have found greater comfort in his chain of private businesses and his home.

  • CAF exco post Maigari seeks to replace Adamu

    CAF exco post Maigari seeks to replace Adamu

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Aminu Maigari will contest for a place on the CAF executive committee next year.

    According to CAF, Maigari is one of three candidates who will seek to replace outgoing Amos Adamu at next year’s ordinary general assembly. The other candidates to contest against Maigari are Benin FA boss Anjorin Moucharafou and his Niger counterpart, Hima Souley.

    Maigari is on his second-term on the executive committee of the NFF. The vacancy is for West Africa B, which has Benin, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger.

    CAF president Issa Hayatou is the only candidate for his position at the next general assembly, while South Africa’s Danny Jordan will again attempt to get on the CAF board after he failed to do so previously.

    Hayatou was first elected CAF boss in 1988.