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Tag: BOT

  • BoT wades into UNILORIN alumni association crisis

    BoT wades into UNILORIN alumni association crisis

    Board of Trustees (BoT) of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Alumni Association has joined hands with the university’s Governing Council to end the association’s leadership crisis.

    The association has for long been rocked by leadership tussle leading to its factionalisation.

    The BoT therefore urged a ceasefire by the warring factions of the alumni association.

    In a statement, the association’s chairperson, Mrs. Cecilia Cook said: “For permanent resolution to the conflict between the opposing parties, the board, hereby, issues a cease-fire to them, particularly, in online platforms, pages of newspapers and on any other platforms that may warrant,” Cook said.

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    She added that “by this, the board expresses willingness to join hands with the governing council to resolve the crisis before the end of the first quarter of the year 2025, God’s willing.”

    It has however directed all opposing parties to obey the directive “as soon as published on a national daily and await further directives by the Board before the end of February 2025.

    “The Board will, certainly, serve a hard copy of the release on the offices of the Vice-Chancellor and that of the Council Chairman to bear the message to the University community and the council, in particular.

  • APC suspends BOT member over statement against Bello

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Niger state has suspended one of the Board of Trustees (BOT) members Alhaji Abubakar Magaji over a derogatory statement against Governor Abubakar Bello.

    Magaji is a member of the Board of Trustees in the state and one of the founding fathers who led the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to form APC.

    In a statement by the party’s secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Liman in Minna on Thursday, Magaji was accused of making derogatory statement during a meeting chaired by the Governor on Monday.

    According to the statement, Magaji when speaking asked: ‘Who is Party?’ a question which members termed as embarrassing to the Governor.

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    “This derogatory statement in the view of the Party (APC) as embarrassing and has brought it into hatred, contempt, ridicule and disrepute which offends Article 21 (A) (II) of the Party constitution (2014) as amended.”

    The party further stated the State working committee has set up a 5- man committee to investigate the matter and recommend appropriate sanctions.

  • APC’s 50 member Elders’ Council to replace BoT

    The National caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved a 50-member Elders Council to replace the Board of Trustees (BoT).

    It was learnt that the approval of the Elders Council was part of the decisions taken at the Caucus meeting of the party held at the Presidential villa on Monday night.

    Modalities for selecting members of the Council is expected to be worked out before the National Convention scheduled for June.

    The constitution of the Elders Council is part of the amendment contained in the party’s constitution which was expected to be adopted by the National Executive Committee.

    The decision to have an Elders Council may not be unconnected with the inability of the party to constitute a Board of Trustees

  • PDP group cautions BoT

    PDP group cautions BoT

    The PDP-Renaissance Initiative (PRI) has raised the alarm over what it described as partiality playing out in the race for chairman.

    It unchecked the trend could  endanger its chances in the 2019 polls, the group said.

    The intra-party group asked the PDP Board of Trustees to borrow a leaf from the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee that has so far exhibited maturity, neutrality and decorum in the contest.

    The intra-party group urged the PDP to force aspirants to resign their membership of party organs, while Board of Trustees (BOT) members should eschew the display of open support for particular candidates.

    The statement by group’s Publicity Director. Felicia Osoba, pointed out that unlike its present posturing, the BOT should be seen to be neutral, unbiased and impartial in an intra-party contest.

    The PRI wondered why BOT member Prof. Jerry Gana is openly chaperoning and campaigning for Prof. Tunde Adeniran.

    Recalling the recent illegal pruning of contestants to two by a section of the trustees, PRI said that the issues it was raising had cast an unhealthy on the integrity of the entire PDP BOT.

  • 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.

  • Lagos PDP crisis: Adewale hands over secretariat to Bode George, BOT

    Lagos PDP crisis: Adewale hands over secretariat to Bode George, BOT

    chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Chief Segun Adewale, yesterday handed over the state secretariat of the party to the Board of Trustees (BoT).

    Adewale is the factional chairman of PDP loyal to Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif recently sacked by the Supreme Court as the National Chairman of the party.

    Adewale, addressing journalists shortly after moving his possession out of the secretariat, said that this was in line with the directive from the national headquarters of the party.

    He said that a letter from the party headquarters had directed him to hand over to BoT members in the state.

    Adewale explained that the National Caretaker Committee of PDP had ordered that the state secretariat should be handed over to Chief Bode George and other members of the party’s BoT in Lagos.

    He said that the order was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary, National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ben Obi, and addressed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni.

    Adewale said: “I am going to hand over the key to the BoT as instructed in the letter.

    “`As you can see me, I have packed out my things. I am going to drop the key now.”

    He instructed all his supporters to stay away from the secretariat in the interest of peace, even if the key is given to someone else.

    “It is quite unfortunate that those, who as at last week Saturday, were campaigning against PDP while in Labour Party, now want to take over the secretariat.

    “I was the one mobilising for the party during last Saturday local government elections in the state.

    “Even at that, I am ready to leave the secretariat, the police asked us to sign an undertaking that there will be peace in Ikeja.

    “I am not fighting with anybody, because if we continue this way, we will continue to lose elections in Lagos,” Adewale said.

    The crisis rocking the party at the national and state levels made those loyal to Moshood Salvador to make an alliance with the Labour Party.

    Salvador is the factional chairman loyal to Sen. Ahmed Markafi, who was declared by the Supreme Court  as the authentic chairman.

  • PDP holds expanded national caucus, BOT, NEC meetings tomorrow

    PDP holds expanded national caucus, BOT, NEC meetings tomorrow

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed its expanded National Caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT), and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings for tomorrow, July 17.

    The National Secretary of PDP National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ben Obi and the National Secretary of the BoT, Ambassador Aminu Wali, in a joint notice said the meeting of the expanded National Caucus will take place at 8 a.m, at PDP National Secretariat (Wadata Plaza), Abuja.

    Those invited to attend the meeting are former presidents and vice presidents, PDP governors, NEC members, BoT members, National Assembly members, former PDP governors, former PDP ministers and all former national officers of the party.

    The BOT and NEC will also separate meetings on Tuesday, July 18, at the same venue.

     

  • Alausa secretariat mosque gets BoT

    Lagos State Secretariat Mosque has inaugurated a 10-man Board of Trustees (BoT) as its highest advisory organ.

    Chairman of the Executive committee Mr. Saheed Animashahun inaugurated the BoT at the mosque’a Multi-Purpose hall in Alausa, Ikeja.

    The BoT members are Lagos State Audit Service Commission Chairman, Alhaji Waliu Onibon, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Alhaja Wonuola Folami; former Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN); Justice Ibrahim Olorunimbe and former Permanent Secretary, Alhaja Simbiat Agbalajobi.

    Others include former Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Mohammed Olagbaye; former Commissioner for Education, Alhaja Sekinat Yusuf; Dr. Abdullahi Awelenje; former Acting  Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue, Alhaji Labaika Salako and former Director in the Ministry of Works, Alhaji AbdulRahman Bello.

    The mosque’s Resident Imam AbdulHakeem AbdulGafar said the responsibilities Allah reposed on leadership were enormous.

    Any person aspiring to become a leader, he said, must be prepared to exhibit justice and fairness in his dealings, adding that all leaders will render accounts of their stewardship before Allah on the Day of Judgment.

    AbdulGafar urged the members to see their selection as additional call to service.

    Responding, Pedro said the board would not fail in its duties.

    He said members would deploy their vast experience and exposure in carrying out their duties.

  • BoT takes over PDP secretariat

    BoT takes over PDP secretariat

    Elders moved in yesterday to save the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from collapsing under the weight of its many problems.

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) took over the running of its affairs, pending the resolution of its leadership crisis.

    Addressing secretariat staff at the party’s office, BoT Chairman Walid Jibrin said the board remained the only legal body that is not encumbered by litigation.

    Jibrin said: “Nobody has taken the BoT to court. Today, the BoT remains the only legal body that is not in court with anybody, and that is why we are here to play our role.

    “We are here to perform our duty, according to the PDP constitution, hoping that our problems will soon be resolved.”

    Members of the board will be operating from the boardroom. They will not be occupying any of the offices used by members of the disbanded National Working Committee (NWC), Jibrin said.

    He explained that the week-long sealing off of the party’s secretariat by the police was to protect lives and property.

    “We the BoT have been asked under the constitution of the party to be in charge of the assets and the liabilities of the PDP generally.

    “It is in that respect that the Inspector General of Police, having considered the importance of our constitution and having considered the importance of the staff of the PDP headquarters here, that this place be opened and entrusted in the hands of the BoT,” Jibrin added.

    The BoT chair described the party’s problem as “temporary”, adding that the BoT had reached out to parties in the lingering crisis, with a view to reconciling them.

    He said:  “We have gone very far to resolve this matter, we are making contacts and consultations and we are not here to blame anybody, but to resolve the problem.

    “PDP will never die; we are only on sabbatical and once the sabbatical is over, we are going to take over our leadership. We are coming back in 2019”.

    BoT Secretary Ojo Maduekwe said the board decided to oversee the party’s affairs to prevent a vacuum in the face of conflicting court orders.

    “We are giving members opportunity to withdraw all cases in court so that PDP can rebrand,” Maduekwe said.

    At the meeting were former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, a former Senate Majority Leader Stella Omu and a others.

  • PDP crisis: BoT raises three-man panel to meet Sheriff

    PDP crisis: BoT raises three-man panel to meet Sheriff

    •Why I called off  convention, by chair

    Nearly two weeks after the botched Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  national convention in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, embattled factional  chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has explained why he took a last-minute decision to call off the event.

    He said he only acted in deference to a  court order that elections should not be conducted into three offices of the party – national chairman, national secretary and national auditor.

    According to him, if he had not acted swiftly to suspend the convention, it would have been an outright disregard for the judiciary. He referred to an earlier letter addressed to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), wherein the party was advised to obey a Lagos Federal High Court injunction.

    In the letter, dated 16th of May, 2016 and addressed to Sheriff as national chairman of the party, INEC had warned that it would not monitor elections into the three seats under contention, pending the determination of the case by the court.

    Subsequently, Sheriff, on the 20th of May, 2016, replied INEC, announcing the suspension of the convention in line with the court order.  Part of the letter read “Consequently, the National Working Committee of the party, decided to abide by these court pronouncements and postpone the said convention.

    “Your letter dated 16th of May,? 2016, informing the party that INEC would not monitor elections into the offices of the national chairman, national secretary and national auditor during our planned national conference refers.

    “You also informed us that any officers elected into those offices would not be accorded any recognition by your commission. This in compliance with the court order of the Federal High Court on the tenure of the incumbents of these offices.

    “The party also received the judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, upholding the tenure of 18 national officers of the party till 2017 and 2018.

    “Therefore, the incumbent national officers elected during the 2013 and 2014 special national conventions remain in office till 2017 and 2018 respectively.”

    The former Borno state governor clarified  that his target and vision for the opposition party is to rebuild it , explaining  that he has no inordinate ambition as being peddled by some aggrieved elements in the party.

    Further explaining his dream for the PDP, he declared that his plans remains   to position the party in a good pedestal  where it can successfully wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. In line with this objective, Sheriff said plans were already in place to begin a nationwide consultation that will bring every aggrieved member together.

    PDP Governors  on the platform of the party and other stakeholders, had on the 21st of May, 2016 in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, removed the national working committee of the party and in its place, appointed a former governor of Kaduna state, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

    While the convention was ongoing in Port-Harcourt, a parallel convention was held in Abuja. The parallel convention was spearheaded by former minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana.

    Sheriff’s leadership has filed a suit challenging the move.

     

    Worried by the worsening crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), the Board of Trustees (BoT) has raised a three-man team to meet with sacked Acting National Chairman Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff.

    The team is likely to meet Sheriff today in Abuja.

    But the  party’s National Secretariat remains under lock and key because   Sheriff and the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, have not agreed on who should take control of the place.

    Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase was awaiting the agreement by the two leaders, who are laying claim to the national chairman before reopening the secretariat.

    The BOT agreed with the stakeholders to raise the three-man panel to avert the degenerating situation in the party, it was learnt.

    Members of the panel are Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, former Education Minister Tunde Adeniran and House Minority Leader Leo Ogor.

    According to a source in the party, the panel is expected to:

    • prevail on Sheriff to be “a true party man” by placing the PDP above anything;
    • implore Sheriff to withdraw all cases in court – in deference to the internal party mechanism for addressing such issues; and
    • find amicable ways of resolving all pending issues.

    The source said: “The three-man team will meet Sheriff in Abuja on Tuesday (Today) because if we go on like this, the PDP might not survive this crisis.

    “We believe the panel can agree on workable solutions with Sheriff whose suits in court may draw PDP backward and tear it apart.

    “We are hopeful that we will come out of this crisis stronger, if Sheriff cooperates with the panel.”

    On Friday, Sheriff and 17 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) rushed to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory seeking the declaration of Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee illegal.

    They said their tenure will end on December 11, 2018 since a former National Chairman of PDP, Ahmed Mua’zu, whose mandate they inherited was elected at a Special National Convention on December 10th and 11th, 2014.

    They also asked the court to set aside the decision of penultimate  Saturday’s National Convention of the PDP.

    In an affidavit, which Sheriff personally deposed to, the ex-governor, through his counsel, Alex A. Izinyon (SAN), sought an ex-parte order to stop Makarfi from leading a Caretaker Committee which he alleged was unknown to the PDP’s Constitution.

    But Makarfi on Saturday said going to court might not help in resolving the crisis.

    While hosting Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in Kaduna, Makarfi urged all aggrieved PDP leaders to give reconciliation a chance.

    He said: “Litigation may just give you a legal victory but it may not give you a permanent peace and harmony amongst your family.

    “We need to reconcile; we need to acknowledge where we went wrong. It is a good virtue to say sorry…”

    The National Secretariat of PDP yesterday remained shut.

    The Nation learnt that when Makarfi and Sheriff met with Arase last week, it was resolved that they should meet and agree on who should manage the secretariat.

    A police source said: “The ultimate objective of the IGP was to prevent acts capable of disrupting the peace of Abuja, which is the nation’s capital.

    “So, Sheriff and Makarfi had a session with IGP. It was agreed that the two leaders should go and agree that there won’t be any problem.

    “Their decision will determine which of the factions is going to have access to the National Secretariat of the party.

    “But, as at Sunday, the two leaders have not agreed on any mutually beneficial solution.

    “We will give them up till Friday to respond to the IGP’s mediation target. They may get back this week.”

    Responding to a question, the highly- placed source said: “If there is no agreement by the two sides, the secretariat may remain shut, unless a court says otherwise.

    “Our main concern is that we don’t want them to disrupt the peace of Abuja.”

    There were indications last night that the two factions may end up in court to determine the occupant of the PDP National Secretariat.

    “We will follow legal process to repossess the PDP National Secretariat, “ a party stalwart in Makarfi’s camp said.