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Tag: Ahmed Makarfi

  • Ekiti Poll: Atiku, Mark, Ekweremadu PDP Govs to storm Ekiti for Olusola

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and the 11 governors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will be storming Ekiti State for the governorship election campaign any time soon.

    The 40-man Campaign Council inaugurated by the leadership of the party in Abuja on Monday, is chaired by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

    Other members of the council include the party’s presidential aspirants like Ahmed Makarfi, Ibrahim Shekarau, Sule Lamido the party’s immediate past former governors and serving federal lawmakers.

    While inaugurating the council, the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said the All Progressives Congress has turned Ekiti State into a “war zone”.

    He alleged that the APC was training a special killer squad to kill opponents and disperse rallies organised by the PDP in Ekiti, with the view to foisting a one-party-state.

    Secondus said, “The motive of these deliberate police state being established by the ruling party is obvious; to distract and disorganise the opponent to enable them hold on to power and establish one party state.

    The party chair further accused the APC administration of unnecessarily heating up the polity by resorting to what he described as devious means to undermine the democratic process.

    The chairman continued, “The signs are there for all to see that the attitude of the ruling party is that of a drowning man desperate to survive and whose posture is ‘if I cannot make it, let me go down with others’

    “Information available to us shows that in Ekiti, they are trying to use all skillful underhand means to achieve goals but the people are well charged to not only come out to cast their votes on July 14 but that they are ready to defend it.

    Read Also: NPO, Buhari, Tinubu, Atiku mourn Aboderin

    “At this juncture, let me warn that if there is any attempt to thwart the will of the people in Ekiti state, there may be no general election and the entire democratic process will be endangered”.

    He cautioned the APC against obstructing the will of the people, saying such moves could throw up negative consequences.

    “I tried to let them know that Ekiti State shares in that history when the then second republic ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) attempted  to use their federal controlled might to hijack power from the then Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) that was on ground in the old Ondo state for which Ekiti was part.

    “Men of wisdom had long told us that the easy way to repeat history is to refuse to learn from it. I charge APC leadership to take time and read our political history and know that the route they are headed are akin to that of the NPN days if not worse”, Secondus said.

    The party chairman called on the international community and all lovers of democracy to show more than passing interest in what is happening in different parts of the country.

    Chairman of the campaign council, Governor Emmanuel, said the PDP would win Ekiti State because of the achievements of Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    Emmanuel challenged his fellow governors in the APC to present their performance profile and to compare their achievements with their counterparts in the PDP.

    “If the APC is hoping to use federal might to win Ekiti poll, the PDP has the people behind it”, Emmanuel said.

  • May Day: Makarfi lauds workers for perseverance

    Former Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ahmed Makarfi has lauded Nigerians workers for their perseverance as a result of the deteriorating socio-economic conditions of the country.

    Senator Makarfi in a May Day message signed by his media aide, Murktar Sirajo, urged Nigerian workers to continue to work towards creating a better tomorrow for all Nigerians.

    Senator Makarfi, who was a former governor of Kaduna state rejoiced “with all Nigerian workers on the occasion of the 2018 Workers’ Day,” stating that ” Labour, as the engine which runs any nation’s life-support system, certainly deserves to be appreciated, celebrated and feted on this day”.

    The statement further reads : “The Senator joins compatriots in saluting Nigerian workers’ consistent courage, dedication and perseverance in the service of society and appeals to them to use this day to reflect on how much more they can contribute to nation-building. Countries are only as efficient, fit and strong as their workforce is.

    “Senator Makarfi  also shares in the  deep disappointment with the deteriorating socio-economic conditions under which our workers and majority of Nigerians live and work today but also urges that we all persevere and continue to work towards creating a better tomorrow. “

  • Balarabe, Makarfi, others react to Buhari’s decision to seek re-election

    Some Nigerians have welcomed the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to seek re-election in 2019, saying it was a good decision, as it would help consolidate the gains recorded by his administration, if re-elected.

    However, some members of the opposition political parties said in separate interviews with the News men in Sokoto and Kaduna that the President won’ t find it easy going for second term.

    Alhaji Sidi Ali, Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Sokoto State, said, “Buhari has all it takes to re-contest and the decision is a welcome development.

    “He is governing well and has the capacity to continue with the good work, and I am sure more good transformations will happen in the country, if he is re-elected.”

    Malam Kasimu Chiyama, Chairman Dadin Kowa Youth Association in Kwannawa, Sokoto state expressed joy over the announcement.

    “We will support him fully because he is the only candidate that has been good to Nigerians.”

    Two Sokoto residents, Hajia Hauwa’u Magode and Abdullahi Maiyogot expressed excitement over President Buhari’s position and prayed Allah to continue to guide him.

    However, Mr Samson Samuel, a student, faulted the decision, saying the President should consider his age and health status.

    “The APC will surely make a mistake by nominating Buhari to re-contest.

    “Buhari is a good leader but in recognition of his age and health status he should have rested, as he had spent most time during this tenure on medical treatment abroad.”

    Read Also: Buhari secure soft landing for Oyegun, others

    Also, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former Governor of Kaduna State welcomed the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari to seek re-election in 2019.

    Musa, a chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party ( PRP ) said in a telephone interview that his party would, however, come up with a strong candidate to challenge Buhari in the elections.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is welcome on board, but we want to assure Nigerians that the PRP has a presidential candidate to field in the 2019 general elections,” he said

    Similarly, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, former National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the People Democratic Party ( PDP ), said in a text message that: “It’s no news that he is contesting, it would have been news if he had announced the opposite.”

    The Sokoto state Secretary of PDP, Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu, said Nigerians should vote out the APC or prepare for “another four years of hunger.”

    “Buhari’s age and health condition are all in Allah’s hand, but what is more of concern is good governance and ability to transform the country better.

    “Nigerians should vote PDP to avoid continuous hunger and maladministration that subject people to hardships,” Aliyu said.

    President Buhari had announced his intention to go for second term at the National Executive Council meeting of APC held in Abuja.

    NAN

  • Senator Datti Baba joins 2019 presidential race

    Kaduna state born politician, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed has joined the 2019 presidential race.

    Confirming the news to the media, Mr Ibrahim Biu, the chairman of the campaign media committee in Abuja on Thursday at the Jabi residence of Baba Ahmed said Senator Datti Baba Ahmed’s (DBA) political journey started when he was first elected in April 2003 to the Federal House of Representatives for the Zaria Federal Constituency, Kaduna State. He ran on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party ( ANPP ).

    In the April 2011 elections, Baba-Ahmed polled 366,398 votes in the contest to represent Kaduna North Senatorial district, beating his closest rival, Senator Ahmed Makarfi of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ), the incumbent, who polled 365,043 votes.

    Senator Datti Baba Ahmed is a young and vibrant Nigerian who has all the credentials to move Nigeria to the next level. He is capable of unifying the country and bringing peace to all the regions.

    Datti Baba-Ahmed studied Economics at the prestigious University of Westminister, United Kingdom and at a time when the nation’s economy is on its knees, he comes highly recommended.

    At the age of 41, he had worked for the Security Printing and Minting company in Lagos, obtained two different Masters degrees, a PhD, served as elected Hon. Representative, Distinguished Senator, and established one of the top ranking private university with two other companies employing over 600 people drawn from every state in the country.

    Datti Baba-Ahmed, a thoroughly breed Nigerian with passion for educational advancement has gone further to add other academic value and exposure to his life by obtaining additional educational qualifications at London Business School, Harvard Kennedy and Harvard business school respectively.

    He has a reputation of speaking fearlessly against corruption, bad governance and societal problems. His uncompromising stance against corruption remains an important ingredient needed for a leader that wants to steer the ship of the Nigerian state. This is a man that will favour building institutions over creating strong personalities.

    Senator Datti has also been a proponent of Security, Economy and Education (SEE) programme. His position is that, with the right investment in these critical sectors of the economy, Nigeria will be an inch away from the problems militating against the nation.

    The common yearning in the Nigerian political space is for a fresh face to lead, heralding a departure from the recycling of leaders that Nigeria has always had for decades. The youth who are the majority of Nigerian population, are in desperate need of a leader and a mentor that they can rally behind with their support having been disappointed so many times by the old stock.

    In an era of total distrust for leaders, Nigeria is in dire need of a young, energetic and competent leader with no baggage to run for President in 2019. Senator Datti is 48, a successful scholar and businessman who has what it takes to bring about a re-engineering of the Nigerian economy and create jobs for the army of unemployed youth in the country. He is living proof that Nigeria can still dare to dream of a better future once more.

  • 2019: Northern youths ask Atiku, Lamido to step down for Dankwambo

    2019: Northern youths ask Atiku, Lamido to step down for Dankwambo

    Northern youths under the aegis of Arewa Youths Coalition have called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, to drop their presidential ambition.

    The coalition asked all the presidential aspirants in the PDP to throw their weight behind the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo.

    The Northern youths said Nigeria needs a young and vibrant leader like Dankwambo who has shown example of what good leadership should be in Gombe State.

    Speaking at a rally to drum support for Dankwambo in Kaduna, on Saturday, the Chairman of the coalition, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Jika, said “everybody in the country knows that we are not where we ought to be as a country. That is why we are here to call on Governor Dankwambo of Gombe State to come and contest and rescue our country from the myriad of challenges bedeviling us.

    “We have chosen Dankwambo because we have seen what he has done in Gombe State. He is a detribalised Nigerian. He has solutions to our economic and security challenges and he can move the country to the promised land.

    “Therefore, we are calling on other contenders within the party to put their ambition aside and support Dankwambo with their resources, contacts and everything within their possession, because PDP is one big family.”

     

     

  • Rivers, Benue Killings avoidable – Makarfi

    Rivers, Benue Killings avoidable – Makarfi

    Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, has urged the Federal Government to work hand in hand with the Governors of Rivers, Benue and Taraba States to apprehend and prosecute those behind the recent killings in the three states

    Makarfi , who described the crises in the states as unnecessary and avoidable, said government should quickly develop a strategy that would restore full normalcy and security to the states.

    In a text message he sent to The Nation on his return from vacation outside the country, the ex-PDP chief said all well-meaning Nigerians should help in fully securing every nook and corner of the country.

    He said: “Kindly carry my condolences to the governors and people of Benue, Rivers and Taraba States over the unnecessary and avoidable loss of lives and properties in the respective states.

    “I urge the federal government to fully work hand in hand with the respective states to apprehend and prosecute the actions as well as restore full normalcy and security.

    “All well- meaning Nigerians should help in fully securing every nook and corner of our country.”

  • PDP convention: Mark warns against impunity

    PDP convention: Mark warns against impunity

    A former Senate President, Senator David Mark, Thursday warned against impunity and imposition of candidates in the build up to the December 9th, 2017 elective convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Senator Mark implored party faithful to reflect on the issues that led to the fall of the PDP in 2015 and do well to avoid the pitfalls at the convention.

    A statement by the media aide to the former Senate President, Paul Mumeh, said that Mark gave the warning when he played host to one of the aspirants to the office of the national chairman of PDP, Chief Raymond Dokpesi in Abuja.

    It said that Senator Mark stressed that “we must learn from the mistakes of the past and do the right thing at the convention.

    Mark was quoted to have said, “We must say no to impunity. We must reject imposition of candidates on the party. Elders of the party including myself must ensure justice, fairness and equity. The people must be allowed to decide.

    “Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the PDP and we must not fail them. We need a leader of the PDP that is a bridge builder, assessable; one possesses the character and integrity to lead the party to victory in 2019”.

    It said that Mark recalled how he tried in vain to resolve the intractable conflict between the Senator Ali Modu Sherrif and Ahmed Makarfi factions and submitted ” for me, I will always stand for the truth because only the truth  will guarantee our success in future polls”.

    Senator Mark appreciated the contributions of Chief Dokpesi to the development of the PDP and urged him not to relent .

    The former Senate President enjoined all the aspirants for various positions to comply with the rules of the game and accept the outcome of the election without bitterness or rancour, hoping that the process would be free, fair and credible.

    It said that Chief Dokpesi who briefed Mark said that he opted for the chairmanship position of the party “because I am eminently qualified, competent and capable of leading the party to Eldorado”.

    It said that Dokpesi promised to bring sanity to the party and ensure justices, fairness and equity in the administration of the party if elected.

    It said that Senators Yisa Briamoh and Grace Bent who were among those on Chief Dokpesi’s entourage extolled his qualities as the man appropriate for the job at the moment.

  • PDP needs a gentleman with ideas – Adeniran

    PDP needs a gentleman with ideas – Adeniran

    A former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, says his gentle mien will not diminish his chances of becoming the next national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Adeniran told in a telephone interview on Wednesday that being a gentleman, he remained the best candidate in the race for the national chairmanship seat of the party.

    The party’s national elective convention, which will produce the national chairman and other executive officers, is scheduled for Dec. 9 in Abuja.

    Apart from Adeniran, former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George; former Minister of Sport, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, and former PDP governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr Jimi Agbaje, are also in the chairmanship race.

    Former governors of Ogun and Oyo states, Chief Gbenga Daniel and Chief Rasheed Ladoja respectively; media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and one-time acting chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, are also eying the party’s chairmanship.

    Adeniran said the perception that he is a gentleman is a good one, as the PDP needs such a person with ideas and vision to drive its progress.

    “Yes, I am a gentleman. The belief in some quarters that the party does not need a gentleman as leader is an insult not only to the party, but every member.

    “Leadership is not by thuggery, is not by violence, but by ideas, passion, vision and commitment.

    “We don’t need a violent person in PDP as chairman. We need a man with ideas to drive the party‘s vision. I am that man. I am that gentleman,’’ he said.

    The former minister said with God on his side and the support he was enjoying across the party, he was sure to clinch the post.

    He insisted that he had all it required to lead and reposition the party, being a founding member with the requisite experience.

    “PDP needs a leader with the right vision, passion for good leadership qualities and a leader with right experience.

    “I am passionate about repositioning the party and I am brimming with ideas and vision to return the party to winning ways,’’ he said.

    Adeniran said his academic and political background as a political science professor and former minister had enriched his suitability for the seat.

    He acknowledged that other aspirants had great attributes, but said his kind of vision to salvage the PDP at a critical moment was unmatched.

    The National Caretaker chairman of the party, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi had said at the end of the party’s National Executive Council ( NEC ) meeting on Tuesday that the chairmanship seat was zoned to the entire South, and not micro-zoned to the South-West.

    He said the party’s non-elective convention zoned the presidency to the North and the chairmanship to the South.

    Read Also: Chairmanship: Again, PDP walks a tight rope

  • Reconciliation, unity imperatives for new PDP – Adeniran

    Reconciliation, unity imperatives for new PDP – Adeniran

    A former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, has said that reconciliation and unity were imperatives needed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reclaim power in 2019.

    Adeniran stated this while declaration his interest in the national chairmanship of PDP on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that reconciliation, unity and rebuilding were keys for consolidation of the party after the 23 months leadership crisis it contended with.

    Adeniran, also a former Ambassador to Germany, expressed confidence in Sen. Ahmed Makarfi to conduct a credible national elective convention of the party.

    He said that the convention scheduled for Dec. 9 remained an opportunity for the party to regain power.

    “Now it is time for a new beginning for our great party. We must reconcile, unite, rebuild and we must reposition to face the challenges that lay ahead.

    “These are, indeed, the imperatives before us as a party.

    “I have full confidence in the present leadership of the party, ably led by Sen. Makarfi to conduct a credible and transparent national convention to usher in a new leadership of the party.

    “This will guarantee the survival of the party for the years to come,’’ Adeniran said.

    Soliciting support across the six-geo-political zones, the aspirant pledged to lead in the task of making PDP a strong, credible, reliable and leading political party again.

    He promised that if voted in, he would restore the sanctity of internal democracy and rule of law within the party.

    He added that he would also work with stakeholders to return the party to the people in tandem with the spirit and intent of its slogan – “power to the people.”

    “My team shall work to reaffirm and entrench the founding principles of our great party and rejuvenate it to original state of strength, devoid of impunity, imposition and subversion of the will of the people.’’

    In his remarks, a former Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, urged PDP members to rally support for Adeniran in the December convention.

    Mantu described Adeniran as God’s choice for the national chairman of the party, saying that God revealed the professor as the right candidate when he fasted and prayed about it.

    “I fasted for 30 days and nights, asking God to show me who would lead the party. God showed me Adeniran.

    “Let’s now look forward and make sure that we elect a credible chairman. We should make sure that nobody short-changes us at the national convention,” he said.

    He said that time had come to take PDP back to the people, adding that some people came to the PDP with nothing and left with billions. We need to bring the party to the people now.

    On his part, a former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Waziri, urged party supporters to work assiduously for the task ahead, saying that the road to the Villa in 2019 would not be an easy one.

    He urged members of PDP to support Adeniran as he had proven to be a loyal partyman since the formation of the PDP in 1998.

  • Anambra poll: PDP Appeal Panel upholds Obaze’s candidature

    Anambra poll: PDP Appeal Panel upholds Obaze’s candidature

    The National Caretaker Committee (NCC), Peoples Democratic People (PDP), has upheld the Primary Election that produced Mr Oseloka Obaze as the party’s flag bearer for the Anambra governorship election scheduled for Nov. 18.

    The PDP Head of Publicity Division, Chinwe Nnorom, disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf of the Caretaker Appeal Panel, on Saturday in Abuja.

    Nnorom said the committee upheld Oseloka’s candidacy having critically examined all the petitions validly filed before it.

    She said appeals for the Aug. 28, governorship primaries were heard on Sept. 12, at the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja, by the Panel chaired by its National Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

    “To this end, the Leadership enjoins all party members and supporters in Anambra, especially the aspirants, to put the issues regarding the Primary Election before, during and after behind them.

    “We should work together as one indivisible family ahead of the Nov. 18 governorship election,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some of the aspirants on the primary election day staged a protest at the venue of the party’s primaries in Anambra over alleged unwillingness of the party to listen to their complaints.

    Some of the aspirants were Chairman, Capital Oil, Ifeanyi Uba, Sen. Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation, Mr John Emeka and a member of the House of Representatives, Lynda Ikpeazu.

    Oduah, who withdrew from the primary election cited imposition of candidates on the party for her action.