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Tag: APDA

  • APDA: we’re not part of part of merger with PDP, others

    THE Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) has said that it was not part of the political parties seeking to merge with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form a mega party that will wrest power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

    The party’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bayo Olumoko, said the reports making the round in the media were unfounded, baseless and untrue.

    Media report said APD was part of the 45 political parties seeking to merge with the PDP or form an alliance. But the party said the report was orchestrated by mischief-makers to undermine the party’s integrity.

    He said: “For the avoidance of doubt and for the umpteen time, the APDA is not part of any merger with the PDP and is not interested in any merger for now. The party has not taken any position as it is waiting for a better alternative and will make it known to its supporters and the public.”

    Acknowledging that  some leadership of political parties, including the PDP have approached it for merger, he said the party is yet to align or merge with any party, as it is still weighing the options.

    Olumoko noted that the party is presently being repositioned across the states to provide a better and more credible platform to the Nigerian electorates.

    He urged the public to disregard such reports, which according to him, was the imagination of the author.

  • PDP, APDA, Buhari group clash over Ekweremadu’s coup comment

    PDP, APDA, Buhari group clash over Ekweremadu’s coup comment

    •Former ruling party says Ekweremadu was in order
    •No, he should withdraw statement, apologise to Nigerians-APDA, Buhari group

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday rose in defence of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu over his recent warning to the political class against actions that could trigger a military take over.

    The party said it saw nothing wrong in Ekweremadu’s opinion, and accused the ruling federal government of always trying to criminalise every contrary view or attempt to call it to order.

    But the Buhari Media Support Group and the newly registered Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) did not find the Deputy Senate President’s view amusing.

    While the Buhari Media Support Group asked him to withdraw the statement and apologize to Nigerians, the APDA said the statement was shocking and regrettable.

    It advised the military to ignore it.

    The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said the party had watched the full video of Senator Ekweremadu’s contribution on the floor of the Senate severally and that it saw nothing that could have warranted the statement issued by the Defence Headquarters on the matter.

    The party faulted the Defence Headquarters’ claim that Ekweremadu’s statement was derogatory to the army and by extension the armed forces of Nigeria’.

    The party said: “the PDP holds the institution of the Nigerian military in high esteem and we advise that it should not allow itself to be dragged into desperate attempts by the failed APC administration to criminalise every contrary view or attempt to call it to order.

    “Every student of Nigeria’s history knows that executive excesses such as sponsored political violence, intimidation of opposition and dissent voices, human rights abuses, disrespect for court orders and disregard for the separation of powers and rule of law, as we have today in Nigeria, have always been the bane of the nation’s democracy.

    “Nigerians are aware of the numerous flagrant disobedience to court orders by the APC-led administration as well as the harassment, arrest, detention and media trial of perceived political opponents of the government on the flimsiest trumped up charges, while established cases of corruption by the Presidency cabal are swept under the carpet.

    “Nigerians saw when Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso was prevented from visiting his home state, Kano; how the house belonging to Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi was pulled down by an APC government in Kaduna State and how a meeting by Senator Shehu Sani and other politicians from the State, who have political disagreement with established APC interest was visited with horror.

    “They also watched with dismay as a full squadron of the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) laid siege to the sacred ground of the court to arrest Senator Dino Melaye, who was arraigned by the police over his reported attempt on his life.

    “Senator Ekweremadu’s call therefore remains timely, patriotic and not inimical to the military or the nation, especially in the face of such violations and given the fact that he only reinforced the need to guard against actions that could scuttle our democracy as already raised by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in 2017.

    “Lt. Gen Buratai, in a statement issued by the Army Spokesman on May 16, 2017, raised an alarm that some persons were allegedly approaching some officers and soldiers for what he called ‘undisclosed political reasons’ and warned such persons to desist from these acts.

    “The PDP therefore finds nothing wrong with the call by Senator Ekweremadu on our political leaders to guard the nation’s democracy jealously by imbibing the principles of democratic rule. We hold that our democracy and its attendant benefits must be of paramount interest to all citizens of our dear nation at all times.

    “Our military remains a respected institution and should not in any way allow the APC to use its gimmick to drag it in into partisan politics”.

    In a statement of its own in Abuja, the Buhari Media Support Group said Ekweremadu’s “reference to a coup plot in this dispensation is highly disappointing and clearly appears as an instigation.’’

    In the statement by Austin Braimoh (Coordinator)  and Cassidy Madueke (Secretary) the group added: “Definitely his intention while making this comment is suspicious and unpatriotic.

    “As a lawmaker and second in command at the nation’s highest law-making body, we expect Senator Ekweremadu to always exercise restraint in his utterances in order to uphold the virtues required of his high office. As someone occupying a high office in the country, it is expected that the stability and progress of the country will be uppermost in his mind.

    “We advise Senator Ekweremadu and the Senate to stop equating the inability of politicians to adhere to democratic principles as putting the nation’s democracy in danger. It is indeed strange that the Senate, rather than focusing on its law-making responsibilities, is delving into states’ matters.

    “We make bold to say that if indeed the country’s democracy is under threat as Senator Ekweremadu tried to make us believe, then it is an indictment on him as one of the leaders of the Senate, and he should stop passing the buck.”

    For its part, the APDA through its National Publicity Secretary, Tosin Adeyanju, said politicians must be mindful of their utterances and be patient and allow the current democracy mature.

    “Our democracy is evolving and we all must be patient to see it mature to a stage that will be the envy of all,” he pointed out.

    “No doubt we are still far from where we should be as a nation, but we are moving towards it and all stakeholders in the Nigeria project must be part of this journey of nation building and not be involved in destroying our hard earned democracy.

    “We are aware of the challenges being faced by Nigerians but that those challenges   are surmountable if we all unite towards nation building and contribute our quota at any area of endeavour   we may find ourselves.

    “We should all remember that we have no other country than Nigeria and we must do things that promote unity and prosperity of the country at all times. Our democracy should be protected and strengthened by all citizens of country because it is the only vehicle that will take us to our prosperity.”

    The party appealed to the National Assembly to desist from instigating the military to truncate our nascent democracy.

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in its reaction to Ekweremadu’s statement on Thursday had denied nursing a desire to dabble into governance.

     

     

     

  • APDA vows to dislodge APC in 2019

    APDA vows to dislodge APC in 2019

    The Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance ( APDA ) has urged the Federal Government to opt for establishment of grazing reserves as a strategy to address herdsmen/farmers clashes.

    The National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Shittu, gave the advice in a telephone interview.

    Shittu said that grazing reserves would promote peace between farmers and herders and boost the economies of states.

    He urged the government not to consider creating cattle colonies which, he said, were alien.

    “We hear of a plan by the Federal Government to create cattle colonies where herders can breed their cattle to stop clashes.

    Read also: APDA  rejects cattle colonies, opts for ranches, grazing reserves

    “We advise that the government should rather establish grazing reserves not only to achieve peace but to promote development in states.

    “Cattle colonies are alien to our Constitution. Some people might take the word “colony” to mean dominance or occupation.

    “Grazing reserves can be used by all herders whether they are Fulani or not, and it can go a long way to boost the economies of states,” he said.

    He urged the government to let states know the economic value of grazing reserves, particularly its impact on food security.

    Shittu condemned the recent killings in Benue, Taraba and some other states but advised that the killings should not be attributed to all Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria.

    He said that trans-border criminals might be hiding under Fulani herdsmen to unleash terror on innocent Nigerians.

    Shittu said that cattle’s rearing was a viable business all over the world, and that Nigeria could earn much forex from it.

    He urged the government to toe the line of Botswana and the Netherlands earning huge revenues from cattle export though massive investment in cattle breeding.

    On the 2019 elections, Shittu said that the party had begun preparations to succeed.

    He said that although the party was new, it had presence across the country and would do well in the elections.

    “It is wrong for anyone to see APDA as a party that can’t dislodge the APC.

    “Membership makes a party, not the name. We have members, name and the drive to contest, win and move the country forward.

    “We are stepping up preparations including aggressive drive for new members, APDA will bring the real change, APDA will move Nigeria forward,” he said.

    NAN

  • Cattle colonies unconstitutional – APDA

    The national leadership of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) has warned against the setting up of cattle colonies in any state in the country.

    The APDA national chairman, Mallam Mohammed Shittu, who rejected the proposal, said such colonies are strange and unconstitutional.

    Speaking at a dinner event in Abuja on Monday night Shittu said: “Our constitution does not recognise cattle colony. It recognises cattle ranches and cattle grazing reserves.

    “When you are talking about cattle colony, are you talking of where cattle meat is being sold?

    “We believe that the establishment of cattle ranches or grazing reserves is an economically viable project that can generate millions of jobs and income for Nigerians and the country.

    “But when you talk of cattle colony, we in APDA reject it. We support cattle ranches and grazing.”

    The APDA chairman urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, find a lasting solution to the incessant herdsmen/farmers clashes in the country.

    Shittu said until genuine solutions devoid of ethnicity, religion and political interest are arrived at, there may not be solution to the killings in Benue, Taraba, Plateau and other states in the country.

    He also said APDA would make great impression in the 2019 general elections.

    He said young Nigerians have been contributing their resources and talents to support ADPA.

  • APDA to FG, find solution to herdsmen/farmers clashes

    APDA to FG, find solution to herdsmen/farmers clashes

    The Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance ( APDA ) has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency find lasting solution to herdsmen/farmers clashes in the country.

    Malam Mohammed Shittu, the National Chairman of the party, gave the advice at the APDA “Young Leaders Forum’s 2018’’ welcome dinner on Monday night in Abuja.

    Shittu said until genuine solutions devoid of ethnicity, religion and political interest was arrived at, there may not be solution to the killings in Benue, Taraba and other states where the unnecessary killings were happening.

    Shittu, however, said APDA rejected the proposal to establish cattle colonies in the country, saying it was a strange system to Nigeria.

    “Our constitution does not recognise cattle colony, it recognises cattle ranches and cattle grazing reserves.

    “When you are talking about cattle colony, are you talking of where cattle meats are being sold?

    “We believe that the establishment of cattle ranches or grazing reserves is an economically viable project that can generate millions of jobs and income for Nigerians and the country.

    “But when you talk of cattle colony, we in APDA reject it. We support cattle ranches and grazing,’’ Shittu said.

    Shittu, who commended members of the leaders forum, expressed optimism that their efforts would boost APDA’s chances in future elections, especially in the 2019 general elections.

    “For young Nigerians to make up their minds and start bringing in their resources and talents to support ADPA means a lot.

    “Unlike old days when youths wait for politicians to bring money, we can see what these young men have done with their resources and talents to support the party,’’ he said.

    Read also: APDA urges united action against terrorism, commends army

    Shittu called on Nigerian youths to be more active in political activities to bring in more innovation that would improve the country’s politics.

    He said that with the recent court judgment that civil servants could participate in politics, the “youths are expected to be more involved in politics’’.

    “Why do we allow people without ideas to rule us?  Young Nigerians should wake up and participate more in political activities to develop Nigeria.’’

    The National Coordinator of the APDA Young Leaders Forum, Mr Austin Ufoma, described the forum as a group of young experts from different sectors and professions across the country.

    Ufoma said the goal of the forum was to give the necessary support to APDA and its candidates in any election.

    He said to achieve its mandate, the group had designed various activities including the conduct of research, book review, use of technology and mobilisation of support and membership for the party.

    Ufoma also urged young Nigerians interested in politics to join the party, adding that the forum would mobilise support for any member of the party vying for elective position.

    NAN

  • APDA to Akeredolu: Reduce your travels to focus on governance

    APDA to Akeredolu: Reduce your travels to focus on governance

    The Advance Peoples Democratic Alliance ( APDA ) in Ondo State on Tuesday advised Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu to reduce his frequent travels outside the state to focus on governance.

    Mr Dele Ogunbameru, the State Publicity Secretary of APDA, in a statement in Lagos, said that the frequent travels of the governor were affecting governance in the state.

    Akeredolu, on Monday, December 11, travelled to Paris, France, to attend a four-day summit on climate change by One Planet Summit.

    The governor had attended the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York held from September 12 to September 27.

    Ogunbameru said that since Akeredolu’s inauguration in February 2017, he had not stayed “at home to address the problems being faced by the people that voted him into power.’’

    “Aside from foreign trips, it is now a tradition for Gov. Akeredolu to leave the state on Thursdays and come back on Tuesdays, spending only two working days in the state.

    Read also: ‘APDA not in merger talks with PDP’

    “This action has really caused hardship on the masses who queued in the sun to vote for him on November 26, 2016.

    “As at today, December 12, Ondo State workers have not received November salary aside from the five months salaries and pensions arrears owed the workers and retirees,’’ he said.

    Ogunbameru advised the governor to cut down on his incessant travels to focus on governance and reduce the hardship on the people, who he said, were mostly tstate workers.

    He said the current petrol scarcity in the state was artificial and urged the government to check the excesses of petrol stations as we approach the Yuletide.

    NAN

  • ‘APDA not in merger talks with PDP’

    ‘APDA not in merger talks with PDP’

    The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) is not in “merger talks” with other political parties, its leadership said yesterday.

    In a statement, the group said: “It is not lost on APDA that some persons with their consorts who continue to nurse hidden but illicit interests in APDA, as bargaining foil for their nothing but egotistical agenda for leadership of the PDP, are crafting masterminds of the purported “merger talks.”

    APDA categorically declares to the world that the craftsmen with their supporting cast of the “merger talks” are engaging themselves in strategic tacit deception, to hoodwink the public against the Party by the alleged “merger talks,” they are declaring to Nigerians they have no credible packages to offer Nigerians.

    We want to urge Nigerians to dicontinuance this fabricated lies because APDA is not aware of and not interested in the purported “merger talks” with the PDP.

  • APDA ‘not in merger talks with PDP’

    APDA ‘not in merger talks with PDP’

    The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance has denied reports suggesting that it was in merger talks with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

    A statement signed by APDA’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, described such insinuations as nothing but “fabricated lies.”

    Quoting party sources, a newspaper report at the weekend said PDP’s talks with APDA for merger had reached advanced stage “with the possible outcome that the latter (APDA) will fuse into the PDP ahead of the 2019 general election.”

    But APDA identified the masterminds of such publications as people with hidden interests who were trying to use APDA as a bargaining chip in their pursuit of the leadership of the PDP.

    The party said it was categorically declaring to the world that the “craftsmen” behind the merger claims as well as their “supporting cast” were trying to deceive the public with the purported merger talks.

    “They are declaring to Nigerians that they have no credible package to offer Nigerians.

    “We want to urge Nigerians to discountenance these fabricated lies because APDA is not aware of and is not interested in the purported merger talks with the PDP,” the statement added.

     

  • ‘APDA not in merger talks with PDP’

    ‘APDA not in merger talks with PDP’

    The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) is not in “merger talks” with other political parties, its leadership said yesterday.

    In a statement, the group said: “It is not lost on APDA that some persons with their consorts who continue to nurse hidden but illicit interests in APDA, as bargaining foil for their nothing but egotistical agenda for leadership of the PDP, are crafting masterminds of the purported “merger talks.”

    APDA categorically declares to the world that the craftsmen with their supporting cast of the “merger talks” are engaging themselves in strategic tacit deception, to hoodwink the public against the Party by the alleged “merger talks,” they are declaring to Nigerians they have no credible packages to offer Nigerians.

    We want to urge Nigerians to dicontinuance this fabricated lies because APDA is not aware of and not interested in the purported “merger talks” with the PDP.

  • APDA urges Fed Govt to suspend release of bailout to states

    The Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) has urged the Federal Government not to release another tranche of Paris Club refund to states until previous disbursements to them was comprehensively audited.

    The party made the call in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, yesterday in Abuja.

    It commended the Federal Government for its efforts towards ensuring that payment of workers’ salaries through Paris Club refund and bailout funds to states.

    It stated that it was, however, unfortunate and unacceptable that in spite of huge and timely release of the funds, no state had been adjudged to have utilised the funds for its primary purpose.

    “To this end, APDA urges the Federal Government not to accede to any request for further release of funds until a comprehensive and extensive audit is carried out to determine the true state of affairs in the states.

    “This is important especially in the face of the claims and counter-claims of the state governments and labour unions.”

    APDA also requested that all payment of workers’ salaries in the states should be done through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as being used at the federal level.

    According to it, IPPIS has recorded astounding success in the timely payment of salaries and identification of ghost workers.

    The party said it believed that the streamlining of all public sector workers salaries through the IPPIS would greatly reduce public funds wastage, especially cases of ghost workers be-devilling the public sector.