The Nation Newspaper

Tag: APDA

  • Court declares Mohammed Kabiru as Apda interim chairman

    A Federal Court Territory  High Court sitting in Jabi,Abuja yesterday declared Mallam Mohammed Shittu Kabiru as the interim chairman of the All Progressive Democratic Alliance and Emeka Okegwu as the Secretary  of the newly-registered party.

    The party had approached the court, seeking its order to stop the two interim national officers from parading themselves as such as their tenure had expired since March 16 based on their letter of appointment issued on March 14 and signed by the interim chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT),High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

    Kabiru and Okegwu were both joined by the party as defendants in the case.

    Delivering judgment in the matter, the presiding judge,Justice Yusuf Halilu, stated that based on the facts before the court, it was obvious that the defendants had assumed  office as interim officers of APDA before the purported appointment letter signed by High Chief Dokpesi.

    According to the judge, going by Exhibits C and D before the court,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been relating with the defendants before the March 14.

    He noted that Exhibit C, which was the party’s letter of application for registration as a political party dated March 2 was signed by the interim chairman and secretary respectively, while Exhibit D, was an INEC reply to the application.

    Therefore Justice Halilu,held that as a result of this,the defendants could not have been appointed by Dokpesi.

    The judge  held that two contradictory letters written by the party to INEC, informing it of holding its interim national working committee meeting, saying that the electoral body promptly replied this and addressed to the defendants.

    He stated that going by Section 7 (1) of APDA constitution, the meeting of the interim national working committee summoned by the interim BoT chairman should not have held since the section only stated that two third members of the executive should notify the chairman to summon such meeting.

    Justice Halilu declared that there was no letter of notification by two third of the executive members to the national chairman was exhibited before the court to compel Kabiru to summon the meeting.

    According to him, whatever decision taken at the said meeting after the INEC’s reply to the two contradictory letters could not stand in the eye of the law.

  • APDA gets new BoT chair

    The Advanced Peoples’ Democratc Alliance (APDA) National Executive Committe (NEC) has selected Mallam Mainasara Illo as its new Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman and Chief Dan Nwanyanwu  as National Chairman.

    The new appointments followed the are the expiraton of the tenure of the interim NWC members on June 14. The decision on the appointment was taken by two-third of NEC members, who also deliberated on the modalities for rebranding the party.

    Apart from resolving to contest the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State, the party leaders also deliberated on the membership drive to reflect national outlook.

    A committee for  massive and aggressive membership drive throughout   the   country was set up.

    Other   national   officers   whose   appointment   were   confirmed include Yakubu Mohammed Tanko, Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Fijabi Adebo, Deputy National Chairman (South), Amobi Nwosu, National secretary, and Ide Eguabor, National Publicity Secretary.

  • APDA ponders on it’s future

    The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), an off shot of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is at  crossroads on it future.

    In a statement by its interim Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayodele Fijabi-Adebo, the National Executive Committee would participate in the governorship election in Anambra State.

    He added that the NEC of the party would reposition the party to meet up with the challenges ahead.

    He said: “Following recent developments in the country particularly the judgment of July 12,  2017 delivered by the Supreme Court on the leadership tussle within the PDP, the INEC timetable for elections including the November 2017 Anambra State governorship election.

    “APDA’s interest in being a viable opposition and participant in the 2019 election, it was resolved that as a matter of urgent national importance, we the undersigned NEC members, having regards to the issues raised by stakeholders, agree to convene a meeting.

    He added: “The meeting  will give direction to future developments affecting APDA. We therefore set out the agenda for the NEC meeting as empowered by Sections 77 of the Constitution of APDA.”

  • APDA’s NEC meets Tuesday in Abuja

    Interim members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the newly-registered Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) will meet in Abuja next Tuesday to take far-reaching decisions.

    A statement at the weekend explained the meeting is to reposition the party as a leading opposition voice.

    The gathering, will among others, “authorise, direct and approve the participation of APDA in November 18th 2017, Anambra elections and take appropriate measures” as well as endorse members of the BOT.

    The party will also address issues of the convocation of the National Convention and other critical matters.

  • APDA dissolves media committee

    •To constitute board of trustees 

    National Chairman of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) Shitu Kabir Mohammed has announced the dissolution of the party’s Media and Communications Committee. This, he said, was to reposition the party.

    In a statement yesterday, Mohammed also debunked reports of the existence of a Board of Trustees for the party, saying the board had not been constituted.

    The statement reads: “The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) wishes to inform the public that only two of the three statutory organs of the party – National working committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC), have been constituted. The Board of Trustees is yet to be constituted, until we find men and women of impeccable character that had served our country meritoriously with unblemished records to occupy the body.”

    He added that the party will constitute the Board of Trustees, Council of Elders and other party organs as soon as possible.

    “APDA wishes to inform the public that due to the inclusion of some practitioners, who are in paid employs of some media houses, which has resulted in conflict of interest, the party resolved to dissolve the committee immediately. A new committee will be constituted shortly,” he added.

  • INEC issues certificates to APDA, four others

    INEC issues certificates to APDA, four others

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday presented certificates of registration to five newly-registered political parties in the country.

    The parties are – Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Democratic People’s Movement (ADPM), New Generation Party of Nigeria (NGP) and the Young Progressive Party (YPP).

    The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while presenting the certificates to the parties in Abuja, urged them not to consider their registration as an end in itself.

    Yakubu said the registration should be seen as opportunity for the political parties to exercise their critical roles in the best interest of the nation’s democracy.

    He said, “As you are aware, political parties are at the heart of our democracy. Under the Constitution, no Nigerian can contest an election conducted by lNEC unless he/she is sponsored by a political party.

    “Similarly, under the Constitution, you are registered to operate as national political parties.

    “As such, you should remain committed to the politics of principles and development of the entire nation as articulated in your party constitutions and manifestos which you submitted along with your applications for registration.

    “You must eschew the politics of division, bitterness, mudslinging and hatred.

    “You must also be inclusive in all your activities by giving opportunity to all citizens, especially disadvantaged groups such as women, youths and persons with disabilities.”

    He assured that the new parties would enjoy equal rights and privileges of recognised political parties under the Constitution, the Electoral Act as well as INEC’s regulations and guidelines.

    NAN