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Tag: Adeniran

  • Our problem with PDP, by ex-minister Adeniran

    Former Minister of Education Prof. Tunde Adeniran has said lack of internal democracy triggered the  exit of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Adeniran said the party offers hope for Nigerians who are disenchanted with the way and manner PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had managed the affairs of the country.

    He described the SDP as “the third force and evolving coalition of progressive forces to bring about positive change in Nigeria.  The former minister said the party would  restructure  the country.

    Adeniran spoke  yesterday in his Orin-Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government hometown during an interactive session with SDP members ahead of the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    Adeniran, who is also former Ambassador to Germany, quit PDP with personalities like former Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana and former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, over crisis that trailed the December 9 National Convention.

    The former Education Minister contested the national chairmanship seat, which  Prince Uche Secondus won.

    He said the party has embarked on aggressive membership mobilisation that would make Ekiti a launch pad  to gain national prominence.

    Adeniran said: “PDP lacks internal democracy and that has been the party’s greatest challenge and may end up being its undoing. We tried to correct them, we tried to put them on the path of sanity, but they refused.

    “We believed in change and transformation of the democratic system,   where human dignity and other virtues can be protected.

    “SDP is a third force and evolving coalition of progressive forces that has become a force to reckon with. Nigerians are yearning for change, because so much has gone wrong in this country.

    Nigerian youths have seen the party as an appropriate vehicle and they are embracing it.

    “What we intend to do is to give effect to what we believed in, I mean  to sanitise the political system where the rule of law, justice and fairplay can be embraced to promote internal democracy.

    “Let me say this, no political party can bring the desired change when   the  internal democracy is tampered with , because you can’t build something on nothing”.

    Adeniran said SDP is coming to restructure the country and allow true federalism to take the centre stage to end the reign of nepotism  body polity.

    “We are going to restructure this country because it was built on adefective and lopsided foundation. Our own restructuring in SDP will bring healthy rivalry among states and break the yoke of unitary  system.

    “In an attempt to restructure, we won’t promise what we can’t do. We have seen our people going hungry in the midst of abundance, but we     will revamp the agricultural sector through commercial farming to make     Nigeria the food basket of the nation.

    “We are going to make education free and compulsory up to the secondary level while the health sector will be made affordable for all  citizens”, he added.

    Expressing confidence that the PDP and the All Progressives Congress(APC) will be hit with gale of defections, Adeniran said many of the gladiators in the two political parties are already fraternising with the party.

    “What we intend to do is to make Ekiti a litmus test to what is going to happen in the larger Nigeria in 2019.

    “After winning Ekiti, we are going to win in Osun, banking on the supports of the youths who are seriously in need of paradigm shift to     make the country a great nation that we all desired”, he said.

  • PDP will move on without Adeniran, Gana, says Babatope

    PDP will move on without Adeniran, Gana, says Babatope

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, believes the exit of Professor Tunde Adeniran and Professor Jerry Gana from PDP will not, in any way, diminish the party’s strength.

    Babatope, a former Minister of Transport told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that although the two politicians contributed greatly to the PDP, the party should respect their decision to leave and move on.

    Adeniran and Gana, both former ministers, dumped the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) recently.

    He said there was no need calling for their return to the PDP as they were competent adults.

    “Both Prof. Adeniran and Prof. Gana were strong members of the PDP; unfortunately, they have left; there is nothing anybody can do about that,” he said.

    “I am not one of those calling for their return to the PDP because they have the democratic right to join any party that suits them.

    “Again, they are competent and intelligent adults who must have reasoned very well before they took the decision.

    “Even though the feeling might not be too good, being that I have known them for long, especially Adeniran, I cannot fault or stop their decisions.

    “I believe the PDP will remain strong even with their exit, as the party was built on strong foundations and not personalities,” he said.

    He said that Adeniran might have left because of what played out during the last convention of the party, when he vied for the party’s chairmanship position.

    Babatope said that he was also affected by the incident, as the candidate he supported, Chief Olabode George, had to pull out of the race to protest flaws in the electoral process.

    He said both George and himself had since put the issue behind them after the party reached out to them through Gov. Seriake Dickson.

    “What the party did to us then was painful especially the candidate I supported, Chief Olabode George.

    “Gov. Dickson, shortly after the convention, visited us on the way forward for the party. So that is past.

    “We remain in PDP and we will never leave. I believe strongly in the PDP and its ideals. Both George and I will be in PDP,” he said.

    Babatope wished Gana and Adeniran well in their new party, saying he was sure they would be loyal to it.

    The party chieftain expressed doubts that the SDP would evolve to be a dominant party before 2019.

    He said that his doubt was informed by his belief that political parties would need time to develop.

    “But if at the end of the day, the SDP develops into a dominant party like its chieftains have claimed, good; then, we will have three dominant parties.

    “We will all be competing together for the votes of Nigerians. I think, that will be good for democracy,” he said.

     

  • CNM members will join SDP, says Adeniran

    CNM members will join SDP, says Adeniran

    Former Minister of Education and Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain Prof. Tunde Adeniran has said that members of the Coalition for New Nigeria (CNM) will join the party, ahead of next year’s elections.

    He said the SDP will contest and win the presidential election because Nigerians will reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the poll.

    Adeniran, who defected from the PDP last week, spoke on his defection and the chances of his new platform at the polls. The Ekiti State-born politician spoke on the live Channels Television Programme, Sunrise.

    The former minister’s remarks on the resolve of some CNM members to team up with the SDP has put an end to the speculation that they were in discussion with the Labour Party (LP) on the possibility of taking refuge in the opposition party.

    A source said having decided to join the SDP, members of the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-inspired movement may have considered the hurdles on the way, if they apply to the electoral commission for registration as political party.

    The former Ambassador to Germany contested for the chairman during the controversial national convention of the PDP at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Prominent chieftains walked out of the venue in protest against alleged manipulation of the exercise.

    Adeniran, who did not speak on the prospects of the CNM’s transformation into a party, said CNM members have resolved to join the SDP, adding that the platform has become the third force.

    He lamented that the PDP, of which he is a founding father, has derailed from the vision of those who formed the party.

    He recalled that the party was bastardised by its latter-day leaders, who have established themselves in the culture of impunity.

    Adeniran said the behaviour of the party handlers became unbearable during its last national convention when  new leaders were imposed on the members.

    He said despite the assurance by the convention planning committee about a free and fair intra-party election, they later owned up that the situation was beyond their control.

    Adeniran recalled that as one of the founding fathers, he hosted the first important meeting of the party in the Southwest, adding that the PDP of today does not mirror the original vision of the founders.

    He denied that he had become a spoiler, following his defection, stressing that there were compelling reasons for him and other defectors to leave the party.

    The former minister said despite his vicissitudes as a party chieftain in the past, he kept faith with the platform.

    The former minister said the SDP will satisfy the yearning of Nigerians in their clamour for change in 2019.  He said: “We are contesting the presidential election and we are wining.”

     

  • 2019: Fresh crisis hits PDP as Jerry Gana, Adeniran, Orubebe, Turaki, others dump party for SDP

    2019: Fresh crisis hits PDP as Jerry Gana, Adeniran, Orubebe, Turaki, others dump party for SDP

    Three former ministers are leading an exodus of top members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after efforts to heal the wounds of the last national convention of the party hit the rocks.

    Ex-Information Minister Jerry Gana,ex-Education Minister Tunde Adeniran and ex-Niger Delta Minister Godsday Orubebe  are moving to the  Social Democratic Party (SDP) which is merging  with the  Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Peoples Salvation Party (PSP) to form a formidable party ahead of next year’s elections.

    More chieftains of the PDP are expected to join them, The Nation gathered yesterday.

    The Olusegun Obasanjo-inspired Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) is in  talks with the SDP to work together.

    The likes of Gana, Adeniran and Orubebe,all founding members of the PDP, are still displeased with what they see as the hijack of the party by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and others during the party’s last national convention.

    Adeniran was defeated in a bitter  chairmanship election by Wike’s candidate, Uche Secondus.

    A  high powered committee headed by  Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State to reconcile  the aggrieved members could not help the situation.

    The aggrieved party chieftains launched into a  marathon meeting/negotiation with the leadership of SDP on Thursday night in Abuja for a merger.

    The meeting ended  early yesterday with the the signing of  a Memorandum of Understanding  by the coalescing group at Ladi Kwali Hall in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

    Joining Gana from the PDP are a former Military Administrator of Katsina State, Sen. Joseph Akaagerger; a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe; Chief Mike Oghiadhome, who was  a former Chief of Staff to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan; ex-Governor Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State; and ex-Minister of Defence, Dr. Olu Agunloye and a former Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Dare Emiola.

    Also teaming up with SDP are a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Junaid Mohammed; Sen. Bassey Ewa Hensaw;  a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Olamide Oni; Supo Shonibare (South-West Zonal chairman of SDP), Hon. Dipo Olaitan (a former leader of the Alliance for Democracy in the House of Representatives); a former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Kehinde Ayoola;  Amb. Yemi Farounbi; leaders of the Middle Belt Forum; Mr. John Dara; the leaders  of the National Intervention Forum led by Dr. Tafawa Balewa; Amb Bejide; Shehu Gabam who gave the vote of thanks.

    A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae is a stalwart of the SDP.

    Although ex-Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and a former Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu were part of  the preliminary talks, it was unclear why they were not at the signing of the MoU.

    A highly placed source in the group said:”As a matter of fact, Mantu propped up the name of a party which should be included in the merger but it was rejected. He attended the initial meeting but by the time  the MoU was signed, he was not there.

    “We are hopeful that he will  be at our subsequent meetings. Some of our leaders are suspecting that Mantu may chicken out  because he has been begging Adeniran and Gana not to leave  PDP.

    The MoU entered into by the leaders  was  obtained yesterday by The  Nation.

    Jointly signed by Falae (for SDP) and Prof. Gana (for Movement for a New Political Order),  the MoU reads in part: “Whereas on the 12th Day of February 2018, a joint resolution was adopted at Sheraton Hotel Abuja, for working together to ensure the emergence of a new and credible political order to deepen democracy, good governance and genuine development, with peace, security and social justice. The said meeting also  unanimously resolved to build:

    a)a restructured, balanced equitable and truly functional Nigerian Federation:

    b)a humane, free, seIf-reliant and democratic society;

    1. c) a dynamic, productive, transformed and sustainable economy;
    2. d) a just, fair, egalitarian and peaceful nation
    3. e) a land of bright and full of opportunities for all Nigerians; and
    4. f) a national culture of raising good leaders through effective mentoring;

    “Whereas, it was also agreed that the proposed movement shall be directed,  driven and defined by such core values as:  1. Justice, fairness, equity and progress;  2. Democracy, good leadership, good governance and sustainable development; 3. Transparency, integrity, truth and honour; 4. Accountability and zero tolerance for corruption; 5. Respect for human dignity, human rights and sanctity of human life;; and 6. Peace, security, harmony,  cooperative solidarity, within the rule of law; and 7. International cooperation for a common humanity within a secure and peaceful order.

    “Whereas, the movement further resolved to be inspired and motivated by the ideals of social democracy, with great emphasis on:  the triumph of social justice; the  nobility of human dignity; the  harmony of fairness and equality; the power of working together in solidarity; the excellence of good governance, driven by good leadership; the wisdom of reforms and transformation far beyond mere growth; the horror of poverty, demanding eradication; the dignity of prosperity; the imperative of democracy and the security of peace with justice

    “Whereas with due reference to these objectives, core values, and ideals, a Strategy Committee was mandated to search for a suitable, popular, meaningful and widespread platform, with a name that already resonates with the people and to make appropriate recommendations; and

    “Whereas, the Strategic Committee, comprising representatives from all the six geopolitical zones of the Federation, have met  and submitted their report, unanimously recommending the adoption  of  Social Democratic Party(SDP) vehicle by the movement for a new political order:

    “Therefore, we hereby resolutely agree to: (a) Fuse together into one political form; (b) adopt the Social Democratic Party(SDP) as the political vehicle for the fused political formation; (c) Convene a non-elective convention for Saturday, 14th April, 2018; (d) authorize the National Working Committee to serve as the Interim Management Committee until the said convention;  Set up a National Steering Committee of 12 members to guide the Interim Management  Committee during the transition period; Raise a Constitution Review Committee to consider all necessary amendments to the party constitution.”

    Speaking with our correspondent last night, Dr. Junaid Mohammed said: “Those involved in SDP are the Peoples Redemption Party(PRP), Peoples Salvation Party(PSP), the Social Democratic Party(SDP) and some elements of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). It was like a merger but we do not want to call it so because the All Progressives Congress(APC) has destroyed the concept of merger.

    “I am an optimist, I believe SDP will make a great impact. The main reason I want to be associated with it is because it is ideologically driven. Even it was not ideologically driven before, it has to be ideologically driven.

    Asked if some governors and National Assembly members have subscribed to SDP,  Mohammed added: “It is not compulsory to have governors or members of the National Assembly in a party  to succeed. There are about 65 to 67 parties thereabout in the country. In terms of electoral performance, most of the parties are not on ground. The two parties which have led the country are not doing well. They have impacted negatively on the economy and our political life.  A three-party or a four or five -party system will be better.”

    A top source in the SDP said: “The SDP has been approached by the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) which has been founded by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. We are hopeful that our ongoing talks will be fruitful.

    “We share common ideals with the CNM on how to move the nation forward.”

  • Secondus is PDP chair as Adeniran storms out

    Secondus is PDP chair as Adeniran storms out

    Says contest a sham; accuses Wike, Fayose of manipulation

     Dokpesi, Ex-Minister also kick as ‘Unity List’ sparks protests 

    How PDP can regain power, by Jonathan, Atiku, Makarfi

     

    PDP 2017 Convention Unity List

     

    S/N                       POSITION                                                         NAME                                                            STATE                      ZONE                             

    1                      NATIONAL CHAIRMAN                                       PRINCE UCHE SECONDUS                                  RIVERS            SOUTH-SOUTH

    2                      DEPUTY NAT. CHAIR. SOUTH                             ELDER YEMI AKINWONMI                               OGUN               SOUTH-WEST

    3                      DEP. NAT. CHAIRMAN NORTH                          SEN. GAMAWA BABAWA GARBA                     BAUCHI             NORTH EAST

    4                      NATIONAL SECRETARY                                        SENATOR IBRAHIM TSAURI                             KATSINA           NORTH-WEST

    5                      DEPUTY NAT. SECRETARY                                  DR. AGBO EMMANUEL                                          BENUE         NORTH-CENTRAL

    6                      NATIONAL TREASURER                                       HON. ARIBISALA ADEWALE                                 EKITI                SOUTH-WEST

    7                      DEP. NATIONAL TREASURER                            ALH. WADA MASU                                                    KANO              NORTH-WEST

    8                      FINANCIAL SECRETARY                                    ABDULLHAI HUSSEINI MAIBASARA                    NIGER        NORTH-CENTRAL

    9                      DEP. FIN. SEC                                                          HON. IRONA ALPHONSUS GERALD                    IMO                SOUTH-EAST

    10                   NAT. ORG. SECRETARY                                        COL. AUSTIN AKOBUNDU (RTD)                          ABIA                 SOUTH-EAST

    11                   DEP. NAT. ORG. SECRETARY                             BARR. HASSAN YAKUBU                                   NASARAWA          NORTH-EAST

    12                   PUBLICITY SECRETARY                                       KOLA OLOGBONDIYAN                                          KOGI             NORTH-CENTRAL

    13                   DEP. NAT. PUB. SECRETARY                               HON. DIRAN ODEYEMI                                          OSUN                 SOUTH-WEST

    14                   NATIONAL LEGAL ADVISER                             BAR. EMMANUEL ENOIDEM                             AKWA IBOM       SOUTH-SOUTH

    15                   DEP. NAT. LEGAL ADVISER                                BAR. AHMED BELLO LIMAN                              SOKOTO                NORTH-WEST

    16                   NATIONAL AUDITOR                                            MAI ADAMU MUSTAFA                                       YOBE                        NORTH-EAST

    17                   DEP. NAT. AUDITOR                                    MISS    DIVINE AMINA ARONG                               CROSS  RIVER        SOUTH SOUTH

    18                   NATIONAL WOMEN LEADER                          HAJ. MARIYA WAZIRI                                               KEBBI                NORTH-WEST

    19                   DEP. NAT. WOMEN LEADER                              UMORU ADIZET AUDREY HADIZAT                     EDO                 SOUTH-SOUTH

    20                   NAT. YOUTH LEADER                                            RT. HON. UDEH OKOYE                                         ENUGU                SOUTH-EAST

    21                   DEP. NAT. YOUTH LEADER                                UMAR BABANGIDA MAINA                                 ADAMAWA            NORTH-EAST.

     

    Former acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uche Secondus, has been elected as the National Chairman of the party.

    Secondus scored 2,000 votes out of 2,396 votes cast at the party’s national convention, which ended in the early hours of Sunday at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

    Former Education Minister, ProfessorTunde Adeniran who was Secondus closest rival however  stormed out of the Convention before the completion of the election, alleging fraud.

    Media mogul and another chairmanship candidate, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, also decried irregularities and malpractices during the proceedings.

    Chairman of the Electoral Sub-Committee of the convention and former Governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswan, announced the results and said that the election for chairmanship position was keenly contested by four candidates.

    “In this contest, nine gentlemen indicated their interests to contest, but here, four of them sent letters of withdrawal and so four were left.

    “The other ones we were told have withdrawn but there was no letter to that effect.

    “The four gentlemen that contested were Uche Secondus, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Founder of Daar Communications; Prof. Tunde Adeniran, former Education Minister and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, former Minister of Sports and Special Duties.

    “Secondus scored 2,000 votes; Dokpesi, 66; Adeniran, 230 while Adedoja scored no vote,” Suswan said.

     The candidates that withdrew were Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman; Gbenga Daniel, Rasheed Ladoja, erstwhile Governors of Ogun and Oyo States, respectively, and Jimi Agbaje, PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State in 2015 elections.

    Other elected officers were Sen. Babayo Garmawa, Deputy National Chairman (North); Mr Yemi Akinwunmi, Deputy National Chairman (South); Sen. Umar Tsauri, National Secretary and Mr Agbo Emmanuel, Deputy National Secretary.

    Retired Col. Austin Akinbundu is new National Organising Secretary, Yakubu Hassan, Deputy National Organizing Secretary; Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary and Diran Odeyemi, Deputy National Publicity Secretary.

    Mr Abdullahi Maibasira emerged National Financial Secretary, Irona Gerald, Deputy National Financial Secretary;  Aribisala Adewale, National Treasurer; Wada Masu, Deputy National Treasurer; Adamu Mustapha, National Auditor and Arong Divine, Deputy National Auditor.

    Mariya Umar was elected National Women Leader, Umoru Hadiza, Deputy National Women Leader, and Emmanuel Enoidem, National Youth Leader.

    The Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, commended the Election Sub-Committee for “job well done”.

    He also commended all the candidates and delegates who participated in elections and party leaders and members for cooperation that ensured the success of the convention. 

    Adeniran protested the emergence of a ‘unity list’ (which contained the names of favoured candidates for the 21 positions available for election yesterday), alleged compulsion of delegates to vote for those on the list,  alleged stuffing of ballot boxes and sudden change of ballot boxes midway into the election of candidates.

    Adeniran, Education Minister during the Obasanjo presidency, said the affairs of the party should be handed over to the Board of Trustees (BoT) which should conduct a fresh election.

    Media mogul and another chairmanship candidate, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, also decried irregularities and malpractices during the proceedings.

    Secondus, enjoying the massive backing of PDP governors, was number one on the ‘unity list’.

    He took a wide lead once counting of the votes began Sunday night.

    Adeniran and Dokpesi were left to struggle for a few votes.

    Worried by the development, Adeniran walked out of the convention venue.

    According to poll trend monitored by our correspondent, the delegates overwhelmingly endorsed and voted for Secondus.

    A former minister, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said:”The PDP governors and some of our respected elders did their homework and we all agreed to adopt the Unity List which is fair to all.

    “We reached a consensus on Secondus and all those on the list as the next members of the National Working Committee.

    “The election was a walkover for Secondus and 20 others whose victory will soon be announced.

    “In fact, some of those who stepped down earlier also adopted the Unity List and mobilized their state delegates to vote along the list.”

    Adeniran and some of his supporters walked out of the Eagle Square, Abuja at about 9.11pm in protest against the adoption of the Unity List and compelling of delegates to vote for those on the list.

    The Director of Media of his Campaign Organization, Mr. Taiwo Akeju said  the process was highly compromised to achieve a predetermined end.

    He accused Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose of imposing Secondus on the party.

    His words: ?”We reject the entire electoral process. The election has been grossly compromised to achieve a predetermined end. The illegal unity list was prepared by Governors Wike and Ayodele Fayose to foist on the entire delegates.

    “Consequently, we submit that this election is a sham and the result therefore is unacceptable and rejected in its entirety.

    “We consider this so-called election as a travesty of democracy and due ?process, which further entrenches the unwholesome culture of impunity that has done a great deal of damage to the party? in the past.”

    “Our candidate, Prof. Adeniran and his supporters have just walked out of the convention because the election was a sham.

    “The PDP governors came up with Unity List and they and their foot soldiers were forcing delegates to vote for those on the list.

    “We were shocked to witness open stuffing of ballot boxes and replacement of boxes against our candidate. The election was not free and fair, it was a sad day for democracy in Nigeria.”

    A former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman said he would not accept the result of election into the office of the National Publicity Secretary because the ballot box omitted one of his names, leaving delegates confused.

    “I won’t accept the results, I have written the electoral committee and I will go to court,” he said.

    Suleiman, in his petition entitled “Unlawful Exclusion of Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman and the Demand For Cancellation of Election into the office of National Publicity Secretary” said: “I am constrained to write to demand for cancelation of election into the office of National Publicity Secretary of our great Party in the on-going Elective Party Convention on the ground of unlawful exclusion of my name as one of candidates contesting for the above mentioned post of Party.

    “I am one of the candidates of the above mentioned post in the ongoing elective party convention having obtained application form, duly screened and my candidacy approved to stand for the election.

    “I have also campaigned across the Nation seeking the support of the bonafide delegates to the convention.

    “To my chagrin and utter constellation, I was informed that my name was conspicuously missing from the list of candidates vying for the post of National Publicity Secretary which lists were pasted in booths earmarked for voting into the office of National Publicity Secretary.

    “My names are Prof Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman, with Suleiman as my surname, a name I have borne and by which I am known by all and sundry. Needless to say this is the name by which I am identify by my teeming supporters who where unlawfully disenfranchised. Suffice to mention that at no time did I hold myself out to bear other name without any other name but ABUBAKAR OLANREWAJU SULEIMAN, Olanrewaju merely being my middle name.

    “I therefore pray that the august body would do right by me by cancelling the purported election of today…”

    A former Political Editor of ThisDay, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan was the favoured candidate for the national publicity secretary on the Unity List.

    Ologbodiyan has the backing of former Senate President David Mark.

    The PDP has been enmeshed in a serious leadership crisis since losing power in the 2015 presidential election.

    It broke into two factions with Senator Ali Modu Sheriff leading one and Senator Ahmed Makarfi leading the other until the Supreme Court proclaimed the Makarfi faction as the legal one.

    The Makarfi-led interim National  Committee was formally dissolved yesterday.

     

  • PDP convention: I ‘m candidate to beat, says Adeniran

    PDP convention: I ‘m candidate to beat, says Adeniran

    A candidate for the national chairmanship seat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prof Tunde Adeniran has described himself as the candidate to beat at tomorrow’s convention .

    Adeniran, who spoke in Abuja yesterday through the Director General of his campaign organisation, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, said the issues he raised in the petition he sent to the party leadership a few days ago had been addressed.

    “We don’t have much to complain about. Most of the issues we raised have been taken care of. We raised issues on the chairmanship of the electoral committee and the party responded. We now want to allow everything to lie. Nature will tidy up other issues”.

    The candidate said he was upbeat about the convention and expressed confidence in the organisers of the convention that the exercise would be transparent.

    Passing a vote of confidence on the chairman of the convention planning committee, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, the Adeniran camp said it expected the organisers to do the right thing.

    “Our governors have agreed that the convention must be transparent. We are happy with the Delta State governor. I have worked with him, he is a man of integrity. We are in a stable stage now that the election is around the corner.

  • Northern PDP leaders split over Adeniran, Secondus

    Northern PDP leaders split over Adeniran, Secondus

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is enmeshed in confusion with cracks among party stakeholders in the North over plot by some party elders to micro-zone the chairmanship slot to the South West.

    The party’s Caretaker Committe and the National Executive Committee (NEC) had already said the position should be open to interested aspirants from all parts of the South.

    Crisis erupted in Abuja yesterday after a group led by a former Information Minister, Prof Jerry Gana, issued a communique declaring that party stakeholders in the North had micro-zoned the position to the South West.

    But in a counter move, another group, led by Mallam Sani Kutigi disagreed with the Gana group, describing the declaration by the Gana group as “obnoxious and objectionable” plot to rail-road the region into illegality.

    The Gana group, at a meeting convened under the aegis of Northern Elders and Leaders Forum, had issued a communique after a marathon meeting that ended in the wee hours of yesterday, declaring that the chairmanship slot had been micro-zoned to the South West geo-political zone.

    The communique, dated December 1, 2017 and signed by a former Education Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and Mrs. Margaret Icheen, stated that the North had unanimously agreed to the micro-zoning of the slot and urged delegates from the region to vote for only chairmanship candidates from the South West.

    The communique stated: “As we head to the national convention, the forum showed keen interest on the position of the National Chairman.

    “The forum received reports from the three geo-political zones of the region, regarding the micro-zoning of positions zoned to them, in line with the spirit of rotation.

    “The forum resolved that capable and competent aspirants should be identified and supported.

    “After extensive deliberations, it was resolved that in the spirit of fairness, equity, carrying every part of the country along, giving every geo-political zone a sense of participation and inclusion in the affairs of the PDP, we strongly support the quest of the Southwest geo-political zone to produce the next National Chairman of the party.

    “In line with our resolve to rebuild and reposition the PDP, we urge delegates from all the Northern states to abide by this decision and vote for only aspirants from the Southwest geo-political zone in the forthcoming national convention, in the best interest of the party.

    “This is without prejudice to the right of aspirants from other geo-political zones to contest.”

    The Gana group is loyal to one of the chairmanship aspirants from the South West, Prof Tunde Adeniran, while the Kutigi group is loyal to an aspirant from the South South, Prince Uche Secondus.

    At a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, members of the Kutigi group, who also attended the meeting, accused Shekarau, Gana and others of betraying a mutual agreement not to micro-zone the position.

    According to Kutigi, Gana and his group lacked the authority to speak for the North on the matter, describing their action as an insult and a slap on the face of party members from the South.

    Kutigi said the declaration by Gana and his group portended grave consequences for the unity of the PDP if left unchallenged.

    Kutigi said: “This group of people lacks any authority or voice to speak on behalf of the North as a homogeneous entity and is therefore on its own. Their action is hereby rejected and totally condemned.

    “Majority of members from the North dissociate themselves from this misadventure which potents unintended consequences if left unchallenged.

    “It is a slap on the face and an insult on the face of Southern Nigerian politicians/leaders that a few members from the North can sit down and determine who to elect.

    “While rejecting micro-zoning, we affirm our belief in the sanctity of the larger, more inclusive arrangement which gave Southern Nigeria the position of National Chairman of our great party.

    “Party members from the North pledge to support only a free and fair process where a new National Chairman will emerge regardless of which place he comes from, so long as he is from any of the states that make up Southern Nigeria.

    “This decision is to forestall a situation where the action under scrutiny is used to deny certain section a shot at the offices as currently zoned through a dubious and undemocratic means of micro-zoning.

    “Finally, if the party must reinvent itself as the true vanguard of democracy in Nigeria, it should not allow certain elements to hijack and abuse due process in the upcoming national convention, as this will only amount to going back to an inglorious past that we’ll rather forget.”

  • Power brokers tip Secondus, Adeniran for PDP chair

    Power brokers tip Secondus, Adeniran for PDP chair

    Key power brokers in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have scaled the contest for the party’s national chairman down to a former Deputy National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus and a former Education Minister Prof. Tunde Adeniran.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the power brokers may have arrived at the decision for strategic political reasons, particularly the influence and contributions of the backers of the two contestants to the party.

    The attraction to the two contestants lies in the general perception that they appear “supple and flexible” and that they are likely to be adaptable to testy situations.

    Secondus enjoys the backing of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. He also hails from the state, while Adeniran has the support of a sizable number of elders of the party, particularly from the North.

    Investigation further revealed that Wike has been rallying support for Secondus among his colleague governors in the South-South and the South East which are expected to produce the highest number of delegates for the December 9 national convention.

    A former Information Minister Prof Jerry Gana, is the arrow head of contact and Mobilisation outreach for Adeniran in the North, particularly in Gombe and Taraba States which are under the control of the PDP.

    However, if Wike eventually yields to pressure being mounted on him by some interest groups to allow the position go to the South West, then the Adeniran candidacy may have a smooth sail.

    The PDP is fragmented in many of the states in the South West, a situation that may have compounded issues for Adeniran who requires enough delegate votes from the zone.

    Also at issue is the opposition to the aspiration of the former Education Minister by Ekiti State Governor. Ayo Fayose. Fayose’s calculation is that if Adeniran emerges chairman, it would have blocked his chance of picking the vice presidential ticket of the party in the 2019 election. Ademniran hails from Ekiti.

    Fayose a few weeks ago declared his interest to run for president even when the party leadership had zoned the ticket to the North.

    Many interpreted his declaration to run for president as a veiled attempt to bargain for the vice presidential ticket, which may have been quietly zoned to the South East.

    The only prominent position zoned to the South East zone in the coming convention is that of the National Organising Secretray, which cannot stop the zone from picking the vice presidential ticket.

    The fate of a former Deputy National Chairman (South West), Chief Olabode George who is the most experienced of all the chairmanship aspirants, having served at the national secretariat for 10 unbroken years, is hanging in the balance.

    Although George is favoured by a large number of radical elements in the party across the geopolitical zones, the major power brokers however consider him too hot to handle.

    Tough and highly independent minded, the former navy officer and ex-military governor, George does not trike the right chord among the conservative elements and key power brokers in the party.

    Our correspondent gathered that one of the major reasons they are opposed to his emergence as chairman is his track record of strict adherence to established rules, which may make it difficult for anyone to exert undue influence on him.

    Prof Taoheed Adedoja who is also in the race is seen not to have the required experience in party administration.

    Mr. Jimi Agbaje who was favoured for the position of chairman in the party’s botched 2016 convention appeared to have lost steam, as his major backers in the South East and South South have turned their back on him. His campaign has remained tepid.

    Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel may also not go far. His ongoing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is being considered a baggage by key stakeholders.

    In the same boat with Daniel is Chief Raymond Dokpesi who is also facing trial over his alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms purchase scandal with former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.

    The perception within party circles is that the government of the day might plant distractions in the way of Daniel and Dokpesi at the most critical state, particularly if any of the two should emerge chairman.

    A former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja who is also in the race is the least considered appropriate for the job. Having rejoined the PDP from the Accord only last month, his candidacy may prove a hard sell.

  • Ogundipe: Adeniran is candidate to beat at convention

    Ogundipe: Adeniran is candidate to beat at convention

    Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe is a factional National Vice Chairman (Southwest) of the Peoples Democratic Party. He is a supporter of former Minister of Education Prof. Tunde Adeniran, a national chairmanship aspirant. In this interview with ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA, Ogundipe speaks on the forthcoming national convention, the state of the party in Ekiti State and other issues.

    What are the crises your party must resolve at the forthcoming elective National Convention?

    Impunity, disrespect for the law and constitution of the party, greed and all forms of infractions. Our party is seriously emboldened in bigotry, conspiracy and arrogance of power which stink to high heavens. If we can take care of these vices, we are on our way back to government come 2019; these are the problems confronting our party and their ghosts must be buried at the National Convention.

    What kind of personality do you desire as the PDP National Chairman?

    We must not elect a weakling as national chairman, we must not elect someone whose loyalty will be to his godfathers instead of the party. We must not elect a chairman whose personality will send a wrong signal to Nigerians, and by extension, to the electorate. Don’t forget we are approaching election season; we need a chairman whose moral and financial discipline is above board. We need a team player, we need a chairman who is fast thinking and decisive. Not anymore can we afford an armchair chairman. Thank God we have very competent and qualified aspirants coming out from the Southwest, the axis mostly favoured to clinch the position. We must dump sentiment and emotional attachment; we must not forget that whoever emerges will need everybody on board. In my opinion, Prof. Tunde Adeniran is far ahead of other contestants because he possesses the qualities needed to take our party to the Promised Land. He has a great political experience both locally and internationally, he is one of the founding fathers of the party. Adeniran has remained with the party through thick and thin, he has not deviated from the original objectives of the party.

    Adeniran has the energy and the frame of mind to lead our party. He can, by example, persuade others to follow the rules so as to avoid the pitfalls of the past and make the party the choice of the electorate.

    Not only is he a Professor of politics, he is a grassroots politician who can relate with both the high and the low. His political pedigree suggests that he will build bridges and not erect walls.

    What is your reaction to Governor Ayo Fayose’s intention to contest for Presidency in 2019?

    I can only say that it was the height of disrespect to our collective leadership as a party, painfully coming from a senior member. It was a needless triviality that defies both logic and moral fibre; as a member of the Ekweremadu Panel set up by the party to find out across the six geopolitical zones why we lost in 2015, I am saddened. It was not a joke when members spent sleepless nights travelling and collating field reports which were submitted by way of recommendations. The recommendations were far reaching and adopted under due process by the party. The party’s convention of which Fayose was part agreed to zone the Presidency to the North for the 2019 general election and he was part of the convention where the decision was taken. For a senior member of the party to show such disdain is to say the least unfortunate. However, our National (Caretaker) Chairman had put paid to that debate.

    How will you describe the state of the party today in Ekiti?

    Right now, PDP in Ekiti is under siege and I pray seriously that we survive to the next election. Ask Governor fayose the number of people who have defected to the PDP in the last two-and-half years and compare same with members who have been forced to leave. No single tree ever makes a forest; yes, Fayose has a penchant for defeating incumbency, he equally has inclination for making enemies of those people God sent to help him to stardom.

  • PDP Chairmanship race: Discipline, integrity stands Adeniran out says Ciroma

    In what is unmistakably a huge  endorsement of the PDP chairmanship ambition of Prof. Tunde Adeniran, a founding  member of the Peoples Democratic Party  and elder statesman, Mallam Adamu  Ciroma has  described the former Minister of  Education as a man that can be trusted, judging by his pedigree, track-record of discipline, integrity and loyalty  to the  course of the party and Nigeria at  large.

    Speaking over the weekend when the  Adeniran’s campaign train paid him a  courtesy visit in his Abuja’s residence, Mallam Ciroma extolled Adeniran’s  leadership qualities, saying he had  followed with  keen interest the aspirant’s career  since his days as a lecturer at the University of Ibadan and also when he  served as Secretary of the Mass  Mobilisation for Self Reliance, Social  Justice and Economic Recovery  (MAMSER) era.

    In press release issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Tunde Adeniran Campaign Organisation (TACO), Taiwo Akeju, the former Governor of the  Central Bank of Nigeria was quoted to  have said: “I am happy to receive you  all in my house this afternoon. It is a privilege also for me to see all  these great Nigerians like Prof. Jerry Gana, former deputy Senate  President, Ibrahim Mantu, former  Ministers (Fidelia) Njeze, (Zainab) Maina,  (Tom Aguiyi) Ironsi, Senator UgochukwuUba,  the Director-General of  the campaign, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, and arrays of former  Senators, members of the House of Representatives and state assemblies,  commissioners and advisers from the various geo-political zones coming  together to work for a common goal of rescuing our great party after the 2015  electoral defeat. With what I see today, it is very clear that the dream  of the founding fathers of the PDP  is very much alive and that means there  is hope for our party and Nigeria  as a whole.”

    On the need to promote the unity and oneness of Nigeria, Mallam Ciroma charged  Prof. Adeniran and his team to remember  that the dream of Nigeria’s  founding fathers, which is built on the  principle of unity in diversity,  were the core values and principles on  which the PDP was formed. The elders statesman therefore urged all Nigerians to continue to promote the unity  and progress of the country in every  position they might find themselves. In  his words, “it is because we  see ourselves as one nation that gave me the  opportunity to obtain my degree at the  University of Ibadan. Today I do not  see myself as only a Hausa man. I see  myself as a Yoruba man, based on the  relationships that I built while in the university,” he said.

    Earlier, Prof. Gana had extolled the  leadership qualities of Prof. Adeniran. According to him, “when the time to contest for the party chairmanship came, many  of the leaders of the party, including all of us here carried out a detailed  study of the kind of  leadership the PDP needs at this  material time. We went round the country  to ask questions from the people so  that we can avoid the mistake of the  past. The result of the exercise shows  that the PDP needs a transparent,  disciplined, dedicated, experienced and  loyal leader. Also integrity was  considered. It was at this point that  we all came to the conclusion that for the party to regain her place in  Nigeria political space, Prof.  Adeniran is the man that possesses all the qualities that were listed.

    Therefore, we are here today to present the most favoured, qualified and trusted candidate for the job of the chairman of our great party to you for your blessing,” he said.

    It was all encomiums and praises for  Prof. Adeniran during the visit.

    Earlier in the week, the campaign train had visited the PDP caucus in the  National Assembly where the party’s lawmakers pledged their support for Prof. Adeniran because of his dedication,  loyalty and  contributions to the party since its  inception in 1998.

    They also described him as a man who  does not have any baggage that  the opposition  can latch on for negative propaganda, which is what the party direly

    requires now.

    The campaign train will be in the  Northeast this week in continuation of its zonal tour towards the December 9 National Convention.