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Tag: anti-party activities

  • APC youths accuse Gaya of anti-party activities

    A pro-Muhammadu Buhari group in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Next Level Youths for Buhari, has accused the senator representing Kano South, Kabiru Gaya, of aligning with some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elements to canvass for the adoption of the open secret ballot to elect the Senate President for the Ninth National Assembly.

    In a statement at the weekend by the its Convener and former House of Representatives member, Durosinmi Meseko, the group said it had compelling reasons to believe that Gaya might be one of the 13 APC senators reported in a national daily to have been lured to support the scheme by the PDP as well as the opposition’s proposed candidate for the position.

    “When we read the report in some national dailies about how 13 senators-elect from the APC had been approached with mouth-watering promises to jettison the position of the party on Senator Ahmed Lawan and the adoption of open balloting system, we never believed it until Senator Kabiru Gaya recently granted OAK TV Hausa version an interview where he openly canvassed for secret balloting in the election of the Ninth Senate President.

    “What is Senator Gaya hiding from his constituents, the party that sponsored him and the public that he wants to do secretly? He has indirectly opposed the position of the party without minding the consequences of anti-party activities.

    “We hereby call on the leadership of the APC to call Senator Kabiru Gaya to order to retrace his steps immediately or face recall by his constituents.

    “We all know that the ground norm of parliamentary practices all over the world in electing principal officers and other voting processes is to vote openly, because in most climes, your voting record in the chambers or within the parliament determines your re-election or otherwise.

    “That was what the Senate Rule, officially adopted in the Seventh Assembly until another one was forged in the Eighth Assembly. And to further his anti-party actions, Senator Gaya defended the indefensible by supporting those who forged the Eighth Senate Rule Book, saying it was legitimately adopted!

    “The party should be very firm this time with perfidy within its fold. Party discipline should no longer be taken for granted, as in the case of Senator Gaya.”

    The statement wondered “why Senator Gaya would show such open disregard for the leader of our party, President Muhammadu Buhari, by openly opposing him”.

    It urged Kano South electorate to brace up for a recall action against Senator Gaya if he does not retrace his steps forthwith”.

     

  • APC suspends Amosun, Okorocha, others for anti-party activities

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday wielded the big stick, suspending two governors and a minister, and querying another governor for alleged anti-party activities. Rising from a meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC) presided over by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Ohiomhole, the party announced the suspension of Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. It also issued a query to Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, said in a statement after the meeting that the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, and the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, had been suspended for anti-party activities. Although no reason was given for their suspension, both Okorocha and Amosun has been having running battles with the party since the party primaries when their preferred candidates failed to secure the party’s tickets as governorship candidates of Imo and Ogun states.

    While Okorocha is sponsoring his son in-law, Ogumba Uche Nwosu, as the governorship candidate for Action Alliance (AA) and has been campaigning for him vigorously, Amosun has been working for the candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Adekunle Akinlade, and has vowed to continue to campaign for him. The Imo State chapter of the APC had already suspended Governor Okorocha and recommended his expulsion to the national body of the party. The two governors, who were absent at the recent caucus meeting of the party, won seats in the just concluded National Assembly election to represent the APC in the 9th Senate.

    Akeredolu has been accused by various interest groups within the APC in Ondo State of working for the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the Presidential election, leading to Atiku winning the state controlled by APC. The governor has however denied the allegations. It was, however, not clear why Usani and Okechukwu were suspended, but the former’s suspension may not be unconnected with his legal battle to wrest the governorship ticket of the party in Cross River State from the candidate, Senator John Owa Enoh. While the lower court declared the Minister as the APC governorship candidate for next Saturday’s governorship election, the Court of Appeal in Calabar ordered a stay of execution of the judgment, pending the determination of the appeal.

    Onilu said in the statement that the National Working Committee has also decided to recommend the expulsion of the suspended individuals to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party which has the power to expel any member. He said the query issued to the Ondo State governor was impelled by his alleged “glaring anti-party activities, which greatly affected the fortunes of our candidates in the recently conducted presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. Onilu said: “Recall that the NWC had earlier written to the suspended governors on their anti-party activities, and several other steps were taken to ensure that they desisted from taking actions that were inimical to the interests of our party and candidates. Notably, these individuals have not shown any remorse and have actually stepped up their actions.

    “The party reviewed the serial anti-party activities of the concerned individuals before and during the last presidential and National Assembly elections in their respective states and resolved to enforce party discipline in line with our constitution. “The NWC noted how the suspended members have continued to campaign openly for other parties and candidates that are unknown to our great party, even while they have constituted themselves into opposition to APC candidates in their respective states. “Importantly, the NWC is closely monitoring the activities of our members across the country, and particularly, in the states these suspended members belong to.

    “We wish to reiterate that any member of our party who takes any action solely or in line with the directives of the suspended members to undermine our party’s candidates in the coming governorship and House of Assembly elections would face disciplinary actions. “Consequently, the NWC calls on our members to disregard directives and actions of the suspended individuals and work assiduously to ensure the election of ALL and ONLY APC candidates in the forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections.” Reacting to his suspension, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria said the decision was yet to be communicated to him, describing it as an attempt by some people within the party to sideline their enemies in this season of contestation. He said: “One has not gotten a letter of suspension from my great party. If actually a press statement was issued, it may not be unconnected with those who want to sideline their enemies in this season of contestation. “Remember that Femi Adesina, spokesman for Mr President, had opened window for gruesome struggle.

    “Otherwise, one had taken time and resources to campaign vigorously for my great party and even set up the Zikist-BuharistMovement (ZBM), an offshoot of Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) of which I am a foundation member. “It is on record that with ZBM, we toured the nooks and crannies of Enugu and indeed the South East, canvassing for votes for our great party. “I am also instrumental to the most consistent advert placed in several media in the South East on behalf of our great party. “Accordingly, one should not be blamed for the triumph of Bigotry in Enugu State and South East in general.

    “Our comrade chairman should not blame me for hoisting some unpopular National Assembly candidates for the APC in our zone. “For I am at a loss how one contributed to the failure of his darling candidate, Mrs Juliet Ibekaku Nwagu in Egede, her home town, and Udi local government, her primary local council in the five that make up the senatorial district. “Suffice it to say that one will give detailed reply when I’m officially written.”

  • APC campaign council warns Ondo members against anti-party activities

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council of President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has warned party members in Ondo State against anti-party activities.

    A statement yesterday in Akure, the state capital, by a member of the council’s Strategic and Communications Committee, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, said the party was “aware of the surreptitious and clandestine anti-party activities of some prominent party chieftains and senior government officials and appointees working against the interest of our great party in the forthcoming general elections in Ondo State”.

    It warned party executives, members and political appointees using their positions and portfolios to canvass vote for the candidate of Action Alliance (AA), instead of the party’s candidates, to desist from the act.

    The party said it was the ship that brought them to power through its platform.

    It warned that any unholy alliance is sacrilegious and not unacceptable in the state.

    “The council, on behalf of the President and his Vice, appreciates the commitment and loyalty of our party men and women, all Nigerians, for their support and steadfastness in keeping fate with this government.

    “The council implores all our party members and supporters in all the 3,009 polling units, 203 wards across the 18 local government areas of the state to assiduously work and vote for all APC candidates on February 16 in the general elections beginning with the presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the senators representing Ondo South, North and Central, Yele Omogunwa, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice and Tayo Alasoadura, all the APC candidates for the House of Representatives in the nine Federal constituencies and the House of Assembly.

    “The campaign council advises all our loyal party members and chieftains to be vigilant in their various polling units and wards to keep records of anybody, no matter how highly placed, who perpetrates and indulges in anti-party activities in the state.”

     

  • Anti-party activities: APC weighs sanctions against Amosun, Okorocha, others

    How would the All Progressives Congress (APC) sanction two of its state governors for allegedly working against the interest of the party in next year’s elections?

    That is the dilemma currently facing the ruling party as it weighs the decisions of Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to work against the aspirations of the party’s candidates in their states in the 2019 elections.

    Both governors, after failing to procure the APC governorship and other tickets for   their preferred candidates, are believed to be sponsoring them on the platforms of rival parties although they themselves remain senatorial candidates of the APC in their respective states.

    They have even threatened to ensure that the APC candidates.other than those endorsed by them,are defeated in the elections.

    While Adekunle Akinlade, Amosun’s choice candidate, is now the flag-bearer of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ogun State, Okorocha’s son-in-law and preferred successor, Uche Nwosu, is the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Imo.

    The Nation also learnt that Governor Yari of Zamfara State may similarly be sanctioned once the national leadership of the party decides on how best to deal with recalcitrant chieftains. Highly placed party sources said both the NWC and other organs of the party have agreed that it is in the best interest of the APC to sanction the governors before the next general elections.

    “We’re deeply troubled by the actions of these governors and other chieftains of the party toeing same lines as them,” a senior party official told The Nation, confirming concerns expressed in recent weeks by top party officials.

    Asked about the APC leadership’s disposition towards Amosun and Okorocha recently, the spokesperson of the party, Lanre Issa-Onilu, had said the party is displeased with all forms of anti-party activities.

    Answering further questions about whether the party will take punitive actions against the duo, Issa-Onilu said “you will hear from us soon.”

    A top official of the ruling party confirmed that several meetings have been held to discuss what he described as the “obvious anti-party activities” of Governor Amosun and Okorocha in their states.

    “Contrary to opinions currently held in some quarters, it is not true that the party is finding it difficult to move against the two governors and others like them,” the source said.

    “To tell you the truth, we have met several times to discuss their cases. And as I speak to you, all major organs of the party are in agreement that something urgent must be done by the party to show the world that we will not tolerate such dissidence.

    “Specifically, it has been agreed that it is important that we address the cases of the governors of Ogun and Imo before the next general elections start. This will help boost the confidence of loyal party members in the leadership of the party and send across the right messages that we will not condone indiscipline from anybody, no matter how highly placed.

    “That nobody is saying anything about how we intend to discipline them is because nobody has been authorized to comment on their issues for now.

    “What is left is to decide on exactly what to do. Once that is done, APC will show how much it cherishes party discipline and loyalty. Those going about to say they are larger than life will soon be brought right back to life,” he added.

    Further checks by The Nation revealed that considerations such as the effects of the various punitive measures proposed against the governors as well as ongoing efforts by some party elders to mediate in the crises, are part of reasons why Amosun, Okorocha and other APC chieftains currently engaging in alleged anti-party activities, are yet to be sanctioned.

    “Yes, it is true that some people are still talking to the parties involved in the crises. Even some of these governors are still asking for negotiations as we speak. Don’t forget one or two of them currently hold our senatorial tickets. So, somehow, we want to see what will come out of the ongoing efforts to talk some sense into those misbehaving.

    “Besides that, we are going into general elections. Mr. President is seeking re-election in what many people are describing as a tough electoral challenge. We need all the supports and votes we can get. Our national chairman is a seasoned politician who believes that we must not close the door on negotiation until it is obvious that nothing will come out of it,” another source added.

    On Friday Amosun, in a veiled reference to his running battle with the national leadership of the APC, said he only fears God and President Muhammadu Buhari and no one else.

    The governor who spoke after receiving a letter from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate for the February 2019 Presidential polls said: “”We don’t fear them. All of them put together, we don’t fear anybody. We fear God and we fear President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We have decided to let them be for the sake of President Buhari. If not for the President, we know what to do.”

    He vowed that the Derin Adebiyi-led state executive council of the APC that was dissolved last week by the national leadership of the party would serve out its tenure.

     

  • Plateau APC accuse Kwande of ‘anti-party activities’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State has accused Yahaya Kwande of participating in rallies of an opposition party, thereby committing an offense related to anti-party activities.

    The party described Kwande’s action as an embarrassment.

    The leadership alleged that Kwande, who is a member of the national Board of Trustee (BoT), attended a rally at the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jos recently.

    A query by APC chairman Latep Dabang, issued to Kwande, reads: “Kindly recall that on September 18, you attended a rally of the PDP at the state Secretariat on Yakubu Gowon Way, Jos. As if that is not bad enough as a member of APC’s BoT, you also addressed the crowd.

    “To make matters worse, you said in your address that PDP should not be surprised if you bring Governor Simon Lalong with you to join them, knowing that Lalong is the leader of APC in the state.

    “You have reasons to know that as a BoT member, your action constitutes anti-party activities which embarrassed the party. Note that you are to comprehensively respond to this query within 24 hours, stating why disciplinary action should not be taken against you.”

    As at last night, Kwande could not be reached for comments.

  • Lawmaker suspended for alleged anti-party 

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Owan West local government has suspended Hon Ojo Asein for alleged anti-party activities.

    Hon Asein who is the lawmaker representing Owan West Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) was  suspended by the APC leadership of his Ward 2, Uhonmora.

    Read Also:No contest for presidential ticket in APC, says Gaya

    Chairman of Uhonmora Ward, Mr Lucky Aroye, in a statement said the local government and state leadership of the APC have been notified of the suspension.

    Aroyo said Asein has held series of meetings with the opposition party alleged to have openly told some of his supporters to prepare for defection to the opposition party.

    According to Aroye, “He (Asein), has been going about holding meeting under the disguise of the APC where he openly told the members to prepare themselves for defection.

    “All this, we have warned him against, but rather than stop, he persisted. We drew the attention of the LGA and State to this, and we have their support to do the what is constitutional right against such action.

    “It is in this regard that at an enlarge meeting of the ward, we took the decision for his suspension by invoking Article 21 of the party’s constitution. The same Article, spelt out disciplinary procedures.”

    Meanwhile, the lawmaker, when contacted on phone, declined to comment on his alleged suspension, saying, ‘I will not speak on this issue and nobody has the right to suspend me.

  • Faleke: count me out of anti-party activities

    •Lawmaker alleges frame up by enemies

    HOUSE of Representatives member Abiodun Faleke has alleged of a plot by his political enemies to pit him against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said those behind the plot have concluded plans to report him to the APC leadership, including his political mentor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his alleged involvement in anti-party activities.

    According to him, a news conference was held in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital on June 28, where a decision was taken to report his alleged involvement in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    Denouncing the allegation, Faleke said he remained committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He accused some agents of the Kogi State government of being behind the plot to run him down politically.

    He said: “I also have it on authority that the same government agents have planned to submit a petition to the APC National Working Committee and copy my leader and mentor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, that I’m into anti-party activities in Kogi State.

    “I, James Abiodun Faleke, remain a loyal founding member of the APC, and one of the members representing the people of Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos State.”

    The lawmaker said he remained his party’s running mate in the 2015 governorship election in Kogi to the late Prince Abubakar Audu.

    “Nigerians are aware of what happened in Kogi and how the present government came to be via the courts,” he added.

    Faleke described as illogical, a statement credited to a Dr. John, alleging him of imposing a chairman on the Kogi State ADC, wondering how he could foist a leader on a party he does not belong to.

    Faleke said: “Some state agents are the sole sponsors of this falsehood. The statement said I represent Ikeja Federal Constituency and that I’m not a member of ADC. How then can a non-member sponsor a state chairman?”

    The lawmaker also accused Governor Yahaya Bello of frustrating efforts to reconcile aggrieved members of the APC members.

    His words: “It’s on record that efforts by the APC leadership to reconcile the Audu/Faleke group with the Governor Yahaya Bello were turned down by the governor himself. The NWC set up two powerful committees to reconcile the two factions in Kogi, but unfortunately, Governor Bello rejected efforts.

    “The Audu/Faleke team approached the Jigawa State Governor to intervene but it was not successful. Apart from sending state APC leaders to Bello, I personally sent messages to him to see the need for reconciliation with the Audu/Faleke group before the congress, but he refused.

    “The Audu/Faleke name has become a political brand in Kogi. The government should pay salaries and develop the state to ensure victory for APC in the next elections.

    “The death of our principal left a big vacuum that can’t be filled. And instead of the government to be magnanimous in victory, it left out those who worked for the party and appointed PDP members into offices, and also refused all efforts at reconciliation.

    “Unfortunately, some of the Audu/Faleke members see my return to Lagos as a major loss for the party in the state, while some think that I have betrayed them.

    “Please note that the aggrieved members of APC in Kogi are very great men and women old enough to decide what they want. I enjoin those peddling and sponsoring rumours about my involvement in the internal affairs of another party to retract such. Those government agents should have a rethink and use their energy at ensuring smooth governance in the state that can bring victory for the party.”

     

     

  • I haven’t committed anti-party activities, says Boroffice

    Senator explains why crisis persists in Ondo APC

    An All Progressives Congress (AP) chieftain in Ondo State, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, has denied allegations of anti-party activities against him.

    He affirmed his loyalty to the party.

    The senator representing Ondo North said Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s attack on his personality was unwarranted.

    He urged the governor to separate facts from fiction.

    In a statement by his media aide, Kayode Fakuyi, the senator said he had always supported Akeredolu in the best interest of Ondo State, “despite the underlying differences”.

    He recalled rallying his colleagues in the Senate to support the governor when he sent two private communications to the Upper Chamber.

    According to him, Akeredolu has never carried him along on any party matter since he assumed office last year.

    The statement said: “The governor has not extended any invitation to him, let alone turning down any of such invitation to attend any meeting or an APC’s events since Arakunrin Akeredolu became governor of Ondo State.”

    The expert in Human Genetics and Zoology also said he added value to his district through his legislative activities and the infrastructural facilities he has attracted to the senatorial district.

    Boroffice recalled that despite the controversy surrounding Akeredolu’s candidacy in 2016, he (senator) worked tirelessly for APC’s victory in the November poll.

    The senator chided the governor for alleged intolerance, saying his attitude to other party leaders in the state, especially who did not see things from his perspective, had polarised the chapter and alienated critical mass of the party’s leadership and supporters.

    He added: “All is not well with the APC chapter in the Sunshine State, and rather than for Governor Akeredolu to embrace the challenges of leadership and reach out to every leader of this party in Ondo State, he prefers to run the party and government of Ondo State with his trifling followership and continues to assert that he alone owns this party and that others can go to hell. He continues to threaten others with expulsion from the party.”

    The senator urged APC national leadership to intervene in the party’s crisis in Ondo State.

    He noted that issues that polarised the chapter should not be swept under the carpet.

    Boroffice said: “It is for this reason His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, has called for reconciliation of leaders and resolutions of disputed issues. This is the wise road to travel and we cannot dissent. We fully support our National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, on this course.”

     

  • Ortom ‘sacks’ aide for anti-party activities

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has sacked his Special Adviser on Economic Matters and Investment, Dr Bem Melladu.

    A letter from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Ijohor (SAN), thanked Melladu for services rendered and wished him well.

    Dr. Malladu acted as SSG for about seven months when the former SSG took ill.

    Sources said his sack might not be unconnected with his association with those opposed to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

  • PDP suspends Fayose’s men for anti-party activities

    PDP suspends Fayose’s men for anti-party activities

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has wielded the big stick on some loyalists of Governor Ayo Fayose, who were part of the exco sacked by a Federal High Court on Tuesday.

    The court-validated exco led by the Chairman, Williams Ajayi, suspended Gboyega Oguntuase, Tope Anjorin and Jackson Adebayo-chairman, secretary and publicity secretary- of the Fayose-backed faction.

    In a statement yesterday by Deputy Chairman, Olasunkanmi Ogunbiyi and Secretary Ilesanmi Obe, the decision followed an emergency meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) on Tuesday.

    The party said the axe descended on the trio, following various allegations of anti-party activities against them and members of the faction that emerged in a parallel congress at the Abiodun Adetiloye Hall under Fayose’s supervision on May 10, last year.

    The statement said: “Upon  investigation and finding facts, more importantly the judgment of Justice Taiwo Taiwo of Federal High Court 2, Ado-Ekiti on January 24, the SWC hereby resolve to suspend indefinitely Mr. Gbenga Oguntuase and his team of impostors forthwith.

    “Our teeming supporters are hereby urged to remain steadfast, calm and go on with their duties without fear of molestation or intimidation by anyone or group of persons.

    “We have informed the appropriate security agencies of our decision and we are confident that the rule of law must prevail over rascality wither social or executive.”

    The Fayose faction is fighting back by cracking down on its members perceived to be hobnobbing with the Ajayi-led exco.

    The governor’s faction in Ikere Local Government has suspended party chieftains, including Vice Chairman Adebayo Taiwo and a supervisory councillor, Victor Adeniyi.

    A commissioner in the House of Assembly Service Commission, Bode Adewole, is also under investigation by the sacked Oguntuase-led exco for alleged disloyalty. They were summoned to the faction’s secretariat to defend themselves.

    But Oguntuase claimed his deposed exco was still in control of the party structure, maintaining that the judgment won’t stand the test of time.

    Addressing a briefing yesterday, Oguntuase said he still enjoyed the backing of the governor, 26 House of Assembly members, 16 local government chairmen, 177 councillors, three senators, six members of the House of Representatives members and 16 party chairmen in the councils.

    Oguntuase described the court judgment as an attempt to weaken the party towards winning the 2018 governorship election.

    Laying claim to the state party chairmanship, Oguntuase said Tuesday’s judgment was based on “judicial irresponsibility” and said the deposed party executives were gathering evidence to file an appeal.

    Oguntuase said: “The judgment is manifestly obnoxious and humourous. There was no honour and candour in it. We are taking the unthinkable and unfathomable judgment to the Appeal Court.

    “We shall triumph because darkness will give way to light and we have faith in the Judiciary. Our case is just like the biblical prostitutes fighting over a baby.

    “The whole thing was arranged and encouraged by a man who wants to take over the PDP structure in the Southwest.

    “Up till now we have never suspended anybody because we believe most of them are beyond redemption.”

    The state chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has congratulated the Ajayi-led SWC on its victory.

    In a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Tunji Ogunlola, CNPP said its position had always been that it would not deal with any PDP faction until the pronouncement of the court.