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Tag: Anenih

  • Anenih resigns after NWC’s ‘curious’ letter

    Anenih resigns after NWC’s ‘curious’ letter

    The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, yesterday resigned after receiving an  alleged curious letter from the National Working Committee (NWC) on suspected anti-party’s activities in Imo State during the governorship poll.

    But Anenih said he stepped down from the position to allow President Goodluck Jonathan to assume the office.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the NWC was unhappy that Anenih’s godson, Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume worked against PDP candidate Deputy House Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.

    A source said: “Anenih’s resignation was preemptive because the NWC had started investigating his alleged anti-party activities in Imo State. In fact, the NWC wrote him a letter to explain what went wrong in Imo State and why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.

    He considered the letter “offensive from small boys” who did not know how the party was formed. He also took exception to such insults from the small minds in the party, the source said, adding that:

    “I can tell you authoritatively that the letter from PDP secretariat informed his resignation as BOT chairman.”

    But Anenih made no reference to any correspondence between him and the party.

    He said he was stepping down to allow Jonathan to assume the office of the BOT chairman.

    He also cited the current state of affairs in the party as a major factor for his stepping down.

    Anenih,  in a May 20 one-page letter to President Goodluck Jonathan

    Titled the”Notice of my decision to step down as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party”, Anenih said his decision would enable President Jonathan to effectively assume the chairmanship of the BoT.

    The letter reads: “Your Excellency will recall that in a conversation  I had with you a few weeks ago, I had offered to step down from the office of the Chairman of our party’s Board of Trustees and proposed to hand over to you as its new Chairman in a ceremony that would have taken place on the 23rd of May, 2015.  I had also repeated this position in our subsequent meetings.

    “As a follow up to the above proposal and in view of the current state of affairs in our party, I have decided to formally put my offer in writing to enable you effectively assume the Chairmanship of Board of Trustees or approve a process that will enable any other member of the BoT who is considered competent, to assume the position.

    “Kindly accept therefore, this letter as notice of my decision to step down from the position of Chairman of the BoT of our party with effect from today, the 20th of May, 2015.

    “I am happy to inform you that, I remain a loyal foundation member of our great party and will continue to pray for the prosperity of Nigeria, our party, and for you and your family.

    “Your Excellency, kindly accept the expression of my highest regards.”

  • PDP: Anenih resigns as BOT Chair

    PDP: Anenih resigns as BOT Chair

    The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, Wednesday resigned after alleged curious letter from the National Working Committee on suspected anti-party’s activities in Imo State during the governorship poll.
    Anenih said he stepped down from the position to allow President Goodluck Jonathan to assume the office.
    He made no reference to any correspondence between him and the party.
    He also cited the current state of affairs in the party as a major factor for his stepping down.
    Anenih made his views known in a May 20 one-page letter to President Goodluck Jonathan
    Titled the”Notice of my decision to step down as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party”, the letter reads: “Your Excellency will recall that in a conversation I had with you a few weeks ago, I had offered to step down from the office of the Chairman of our party’s Board of Trustees and proposed to hand over to you as its new Chairman in a ceremony that would have taken place on the 23rd of May, 2015. I had also repeated this position in our subsequent meetings.
    “As a follow up to the above proposal and in view of the current state of affairs in our party, I have decided to formally put my offer in writing to enable you effectively assume the Chairmanship of Board of Trustees or approve a process that will enable any other member of the BoT who is considered competent, to assume the position.
    “Kindly accept therefore, this letter as notice of my decision to step down from the position of Chairman of the BoT of our party with effect from today, the 20th of May, 2015.
    “I am happy to inform you that, I remain a loyal foundation member of our great party and will continue to pray for the prosperity of Nigeria, our party, and for you and your family.
    “Your Excellency, kindly accept the expression of my highest regards.”

     

  • Anenih accredited in Uromi

    Anenih accredited in Uromi

    Chairman PDP Board of Trustee, Chief Tony Anenih and his wife getting accreditation at polling unit 8 at Arue- Uromi.
    Chairman PDP Board of Trustee, Chief Tony Anenih and his wife getting accreditation at polling unit 8 at Arue- Uromi.
  • Libel: Anenih loses N500m suit against Oshiomhole’s aide

    Libel: Anenih loses N500m suit against Oshiomhole’s aide

    AN Edo State High Court has dismissed a N500 million libel suit instituted by the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih against the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Peter Okhiria.

    The PDP chieftain had filed the suit against Okhiria and the state owned Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) four years ago, after he alleged  that a press statement issued by the CPS on the bomb scare at EBS and the State House of Assembly maligned him.

    The court awarded N50,000 cost against Anenih in favour of the first and second plaintiffs (Okhiria and EBS). However, N25million judgment was entered against Bendel Newspaper Company Limited (publishers of The Observer) for not entering defence in the suit which commenced in 2010. Delivering judgment in the consolidated suits, trail judge, Justice U.I. Erameh held that the press statement was not libellous and did not bring the plaintiff to disrepute.

    The judge faulted Anenih for suing Okhiria in his personal capacity, noting that the said statement was issued on behalf of the Chief Security Officer (Governor) of Edo State. She held that being the CPS to the Governor, Okhiria had the mandate of the Governor to educate and inform the public on security happenings in the state, as such, could not be held liable because statement made on privileged occasions are a defence to libel.

  • Anenih’s kinsmen reject zoning

    Anenih’s kinsmen reject zoning

    The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State deepened yesterday as kinsmen of the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, rejected zoning in the state.

    A caucus in Edo Central senatorial district has urged the party leadership to respect the zoning arrangement in the district.

    Three lawmakers in the National Assembly Senator Odion Ugbesia (Edo Central) Patrick Ikhariale (Igueben, Esan West and Esan Central) and Friday Itulah (Esan North East/Esan South East) have threatened to leave the party.

    Anenih’s kinsmen, under the auspices of Uromi Agenda, warned the party leadership to open the party primaries to everybody, including the three incumbent lawmakers.

    Their spokesman, Gabriel Okoduwa, said the PDP should select its candidates based on merit and experience instead of zoning.

    Okoduwa decried the zoning agreement in the party within the zone and said the people should be given the choice of choosing the right candidate.

    According to him, “We are one people and one culture. We believe in merit and what is best for the people.

    “In this era, when you are talking about the dividends of democracy, you have to look at what suits you most.

    “Uromi cannot become a political void in this dispensation. We cannot be left out.

    “Esan North East has sustained the party till date and it will not be in political wilderness.”

  • Jonathan meets PDP chieftains, ministers

    Jonathan meets PDP chieftains, ministers

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday met with chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and members of the cabinet in the Council Chamber.

    Those at the meeting included Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, while the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, led members of the National Working Committee to the meeting.

    Most ministers and top government officials that attended the Federal Executive Council meeting stayed behind for the meeting that started around 2pm.

    Speaking to State House correspondents, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisah Metuh, said: “There was a meeting between FEC members, the NWC members and the leadership of the National Assembly PDP caucus.”

    “The meeting discussed a lot of issues, the most important issues being the interface between the executive, the legislature and the party with a view to promoting and publicizing the ideals of the achievements of the government’s transformation agenda and to ensure that we continue to gain the confidence of Nigerians.”

    “Being the only party that promotes the unity and progress of Nigeria that covers all national interest, we want to ensure that our people will continue to have faith in the party. The meeting set up a small committee to continue to dialogue and promote theses ideals.”

    On whether the Adamawa governorship by-election was discussed, he said: “The issue of Adamawa was an exclusive preserve of the NWC and the body is unknown to the party’s constitution to discuss such matters.”

    He said that it is exclusively the preserve of the NWC to discuss the Adamawa election.

    Asked if ministers with political ambitions have been asked to go, he said: “We have not brought out our guidelines. You cannot tell people to resign except when the guidelines are out. So when the guidelines come out then we can now discuss such issues.”

    According to him, the guidelines would soon be released.

    “You know we have a regulatory body that takes care of such issues, we have INEC and we are waiting, we will not want to run foul of the law, very soon, we will bring out our guidelines,” Metuh stated.

     

     

  • Why morale is low in PDP – Mu’azu

    Why morale is low in PDP – Mu’azu

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has identified lack of consultation with key stakeholders for the pervasive low morale among members of the party nationwide.

    This, he said, has caused the party to lose ground amid growing influence of the opposition. He regretted that the immediate past leadership of the party failed to make the required consultation with critical stakeholders.

     

    Mu’azu stated this on Thursday when members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), led by the Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, paid him s courtesy visit at the party’s secretariat.

    He said, “We have taken over this party at a time when morale of members is actually very low. We have lost ground at a time when competition is going to be very interesting.

    “This is coming at a time when we have the opposition developing the skill of poaching. But I tell you all hopes are not lost.

    “What has been lacking is due consultation with regard to members, especially elders. This will be restored. Most of you have not seen me even though I am with you in spirit.

    “We are doing everything with our colleagues, in consultation with our leaders and with prayers and support, not only will we regain lost ground, we will strengthen and get back to our proper leadership position.

    “The job is tough and these are tough times. So, first thing must be done first. I assure each and everyone of you that I will come to your various homes to see you and consult with you and even pay my homage and respect.”

    Anenih expressed satisfaction with Mu’azu’s leadership style since the party chairman came on board a few days ago.

    The BoT chairman regretted that the reconciliatory efforts he initiated during Bamanga Tukur’s tenure were not appreciated, as the erstwhile chairman was one of the people that criticised him.

    “From what we have seen in the last few weeks since your election, I think Nigerians have hope now. I believe PDP has hope.

    “I also want to thank you for being a team player. Today we have a national working committee as a team and no longer as a group,” Anenih said.

     

  • Anenih mourns defection of governors

    Anenih mourns defection of governors

    The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, yesterday mourned the loss of five governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He also said the party would rebound despite the defection .

    He, however, queried why the five governors decided to seek tennacy in another party.

    Anenih, who reacted when contacted by some reporters, said the action of the affected governors was a sad one.

    He said: “Indeed, I had expected the governors to stay on in the Party which has offered them a unique opportunity to serve their people.

    “Surprisingly, they decided to abandon their home and platform to take up tenancy in an opposition party even when it was apparent that the effort of Mr. President for genuine reconciliation was enough for them to see good reason to show restraint and understanding. However, as adults, the final decision was and remains theirs.”

    He, however, expressed satisfaction that the party leadership, President Goodluck Jonathan, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, former National Chairmen, Senators Barnabas Gemade and Ahmadu Ali as well as himself “invested enough energy, commitment, maturity and sincerity in the collective effort at reconciliation.”

    He said PDP will soon recover from the setback created by the defection.

    Anenih added: “I would like to urge our party members and sympathizers not to be disturbed by the exit of some of our governors, but to continue to mobilize grassroots support for our party, Mr. President, and his Transformation Agenda.

    “Our party is big and strong enough to rebound, as it has always done, in the face of such challenges.

    “They should be rest assured that, on our part at the National level, we will strive relentlessly to continue to provide focused leadership as well as keep your hopes and aspirations alive especially at this time and in the months leading to the crucial 2015 general elections.”

    He went philosophical by saying: “What looks like a setback, in politics, can turn out to be a blessing in disguise.”

  • PDP crisis: Anenih gives Oyinlola condition to return

    PDP crisis: Anenih gives Oyinlola condition to return

    •Says: ‘You cannot serve two masters’

    •I have fought my case with decorum, due process, says Oyinlola

    •Uncertainty over G-7 meeting with Jonathan today

     

    THE Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih, has told the suspended National Secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to dump the New PDP before his case can be considered by the party.

    Oyinlola is battling for re-instatement as National secretary following his victory at the Court of Appeal.

    The court ordered his return to office.

    But the PDP has sent him and three others on suspension and ordered their trial for alleged anti-party activity by a disciplinary committee.

    He said if Oyinlola truly craves reconciliation, he cannot afford to be claiming to be National Secretary of the PDP and at the same time hobnob with the New PDP.

    Anenih made his feelings known in a letter to Oyinlola.

    The PDP BoT Chairman said Oyinlola can only be reinstated if he defines where he belongs.

    But a source close to Anenih said the letter was in response to an earlier one written by Oyinlola for the BOT Chairman’s intervention.

    Anenih’s letter was delivered on Friday when Oyinlola was already out of Abuja, it was gathered.

    Although none of the two leaders was ready to make the letter public, a reliable source said: “The BOT Chairman told Oyinlola that elders of the party are prepared to look at his case for reinstatement on merit but they cannot do so if he remains with the rebellious New PDP.

    “Anenih said Oyinlola cannot claim to belong to old and New PDP at the same time. He asked him to renounce New PDP to pave the way for genuine and meaningful intervention.

    “It is left to Oyinlola to take to Anenih’s advice since he has legal basis for coming back as the National Secretary of PDP.”

    A source in Oyinlola’s camp said: “Oga is away from Abuja, he is the only one who can talk on the letter and his position.”

    Oyinlola, however, yesterday restated his commitment to due process in order to resolve the crisis in the party.

    He said he did his best to explore dialogue in fighting his cause with decorum.

    He made his position known through a statement in Abuja by his Principal Secretary, Mr. Femi Adelegan.

    He denied circumventing due process and spoke of efforts he made to “dialogue with the national leader, President Goodluck Jonathan and communicated my grievances to him in writing a number of times.”

    He said he also “made representations to the Chief Tony Anenih Committee; I submitted a memorandum to the PDP Governors Panel headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Shema; consulted with the Prof. Jerry Gana Committee; and also had informal consultations with Governor Seriake Dickson’s Reconciliation Committee through a member of the Panel, Chief Dosu Fatokun; and expressed intention to discuss with them, among other moves to find an amicable solution to my illegal removal from office.

    “Up till now, there have been no revelations about the outcome of these peace initiatives. I am surprised that some people have continued to trail Oyinlola with rabid and unimaginable downbeat intentions.

    “I pray that history will be merciful in judgment to all actors in this saga; and that some people will refrain from continuing to take actions that could enter their names on the negative pages of history.’’

    Oyinlola raised the alarm over recourse to impunity by some leaders of the party, especially some members of the PDP National Working Committee.”

    He alleged “an indecent haste to nail us” and said “most of the stakeholders – legislators, state governors and elders of the party are unhappy at the trend of impunity and disregard for the Rule of Law and fundamental human rights exhibited by some members and attempts by some elements to push us out of the PDP at all costs.

    “They have only kept quiet in the interest of their belief in reconciliation and hope that the leadership would tread the path of moral rectitude. If the NWC that ought to have called seven meetings of NEC since inception 20 months ago has succeeded in calling only two meetings, do you think stakeholders would be happy at being shut out?”

    There were indications last night that the meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the G-7 governors scheduled for today may not proceed after all.

    Sources said not all the governors had been reached in respect of the meeting.

    One of the governors said: “Outside what we read in the newspapers, I have not been communicated and I know one or two others who have not been contacted.

    “We are not sure whether the session will hold or not. And with the little health challenge of the President in London on Thursday, no one is sure if there will be resumption of talks.”

    A November 12, 2013 letter addressed to the Leader of the G-7, Governor Babangida Aliyu, said the session would be held on Sunday, (24th November) in the First Lady’s Conference Room.

    The letter, which was signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Mike .A. Oghiadomhe, reads in part: “ I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 6th October, 2013, addressed to Mr. President, wherein you requested for the resumption of the postponed discussion between Mr. President and the seven governors.

    “I am to invite you and the other governors to the follow-up meeting scheduled to hold in the First Lady’s Conference Room, State House, Abuja on Sunday, 24th November, 2013 at 21.00 hours.

    “Please convey the message to other governors and accept the assurances of my warm regards.”

    The President has not been able to meet the demands of the G-7 and the New PDP.

    The conditions tabled by the G-7 governors for peace are :

    • The sack of a factional National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga

    . Reinstatement of the sacked National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and other members of the NWC

    • Return of party structure to governors in Adamawa, Rivers, Kano, and other states

    • Sticking to one -term tenure by the President by foregoing re-election in 2015

    • Resolution of NGF and Rivers crises, including the lifting of suspension of Governor Rotimi Amaechi

    • Stopping harassment of governors by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

    But the President had so far made the following concessions which had been in the breach

    • Immediate lifting of the suspension of Governor Rotimi Amaechi by the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP.

    • Return of party structure to all the governors, including those of Rivers and Adamawa states.

    • Raising a committee to visit Rivers State, like it was the case with Adamawa State, to build consensus and restore party structure to the governor.

    • The governors and party leaders should tarry a while and leave Jonathan to decide the fate of the factional National Chairman of PDP, Tukur.

  • PDM out to weaken PDP, says Anenih

    PDM out to weaken PDP, says Anenih

    Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) Tony Anenih has accused the newly registered Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) of plotting to weaken PDP.

    He said the original concept of PDM, as initiated by the late Gen. Shehu Yar ‘Adua, was to remain a pressure group within PDP.

    The PDP BoT chairman dissociated himself from the registered PDM, accusing the party’s promoters of stealing from his group, which was initiated in 1998.

    Anenih and his group insisted that those who registered the party had a hidden agenda.

    Speaking at a meeting of his own group of the PDM yesterday, Anenih said: “I am sure that you are all aware that some people have managed to get a political party registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the same name as our own organisation. This poses a very grievous challenge to our existence.

    “It is obvious that those who have stolen our name to register a so-called political party do not mean well for our organisation or the PDP within which we have operated distinctly and effectively in the last 14 years.

    “Their aim is obviously to ride on our goodwill to attract members out of the PDP, with the purpose of weakening or even destroying the party.

    “Our concern about this so-called political party is not just about the fact that these people have stolen our name, but their intentions are far from noble. They seek to weaken the PDP and undermine its electoral capability.”

    Anenih called on his group to ensure that PDM as a political party is resisted.

    But PDM’s National Chairman Bashir Ibrahim warned the Anenih group to concentrate on its vision and not to distract the party in its mobilisation drive. Ibrahim said PDM has come to stay.

    He said: “While we respect the right of individuals to decide for themselves how and with whom they wish to associate, we reject the idea that some people can dictate to others how and with whom they can associate.

    “This is the first time in the political history of Nigeria that members of one party will constitute themselves into a conclave to determine that another party has no right to exist.

    “That some people will insist they own the exclusive franchise to the PDM brand to the exclusion of everybody else is not only undemocratic and arrogant but against the letter and spirit of our Constitution which guarantees every citizen the right to freely associate.

    “PDM is not an exclusive club for the highly privileged and, certainly, not the property of any individual, no matter how highly placed. As a registered political party, PDM is open to every Nigerian, who wishes to join, including those who deny involvement in its registration out of cowardice.”