The Nation Newspaper

Tag: defection

  • PDP summons governors, NEC members over merger, defection

    •Stakeholders reject change of name

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will today meet members of its Board of Trustees (BOT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) on the party’s prospects in 2019 and the possibility of entering into alliances.

    Those expected for the talks are governors, former presidents, former vice presidents, ex-governors, Deputy Presidents of the Senate, ex-Speakers and ex-Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives and principal officers in the National Assembly elected on the PDP platform.

    The meetings will focus on some issues, including the defection talks with Senate President Bukola Saraki, House Speaker Yakubu Dogara and others.

    The others include Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Governor Samuel Ortom, ex-Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, many senators and members of the House of Representatives, mostly in Reformed-All Progressives Congress(R-APC) and other defectors.

    It is the first time the party’s leadership will brief all its organs on what it has been doing ahead of the 2019 elections.

    There was tension last night over plans to arm-twist the organs to succumb to pressure to change the party’s name.

    Many members of the national Caucus, BOT and NEC were opposed to a change of name proposal, which is being promoted by those defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It was learnt that today’s meetings were preceded by a session of the party’s national caucus yesterday night.

    On the agenda were: merger MOU with 38 parties; details of negotiation with defectors, demand for change of name by defectors, how talks will alter party structure at state level, report of Liyel Imoke Contact and Moblisation Committee, defining involvement in coalition with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), parties, and other groups ahead of 2019 poll, inputs from stakeholders and fallout of Ekiti governorship election.

    As at press time, however, the controversial matter on the agenda was said to be plans by some PDP leaders to force the party to change its name.

    It was gathered that the change of name was one of the conditions given by PDP some of the influential defectors.

    While a few leaders were said to be buying into the idea of a name change, many members of the BOT and NEC have rejected it.

    A former governor said: “We have told the party to be circumspect because some of those defecting and insisting on change of name have a hidden agenda. They want to kill PDP technically in order to co-own the new party, which will emerge.”

    A member of the NWC said: “Change of name is a booby trap. Why will those rejoining our party be dictating to us. They need us more than we need them.  If change of name is their problem, let them remain where they are.”

    A governor said: “I think we have gone past the issue of change of name. To me, it is dead on arrival. Those who are uncomfortable with PDP should find shelter elsewhere. I don’t think the party will revisit this matter again.”

    PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan said: “We are meeting all the organs on all issues, including the MOU with parties, defection by some political leaders to our party, among others. The consultation has started with the national caucus on yesterday night. We will meet with BOT and NEC members on Monday (today).”

  • Defection: PDP gives Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, others two-week deadline

    •Senate President summons meeting of loyalists, strategists for final decision
    •No timeline for defection, says Ologbondiyan

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be in a hurry to get its deal with members of the Reformed -All Progressives Congress (R-APC) done and sealed.

    The two sides have been locked in intense talks and negotiations over the last few weeks for the aggrieved members of the APC to switch camps ahead of next year’s elections.

    But President Muhammadu Buhari and the new national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, have also launched peace talks of their own to persuade such APC members to reconsider their plan to dump the party.

    With no defection of note happening as expected by the PDP, the party has   given Senate  President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and others a two-week deadline to make up their minds and rejoin it.

    Also being wooed by the PDP are : Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto); Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); Governor Samuel Ortom (Benue); ex-Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, many Senators and members of the House of Representatives mostly in the Reformed-All Progressives Congress(R-APC) and other willing defectors.

    The Nation gathered that the Senate President who met with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, has summoned an emergency meeting of his associates, loyalists and strategists to take a final decision on whether or not to defect.

    The meeting, which may hold anytime this week with tomorrow said to be the target date, if all those concerned could make it to Abuja.

    It was learnt that Saraki has been in Lagos and Ilorin on whistle stops over the last few days for last minute consultations with his allies.

    Sources told The Nation that a committee empanelled by Saraki has recommended that defection is “appropriate and popular” among his loyalists.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the two week deadline was conveyed to Saraki in Ilorin by Governor Nyesom Wike on Wednesday during a closed door session that took place after the Fidau for Hajiya Aishat Baraje, mother of a former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje.

    Baraje, who was also chairman of the New PDP (nPDP), is one of the key promoters of R-APC.

    A top source familiar with the development said: “there is no doubt that the PDP delegation came for the Fidau and to mount pressure on Saraki to hasten action on the proposal to accommodate likely defectors from APC to PDP.

    “Wike, who led the team, asked Saraki to wrap up decision on the defection within the next one week or two weeks in order to enable PDP adjust its structures ahead of primaries for various elective posts in 2019.

    “Do not forget that the defection might alter the party structure at the state level and the power sharing formula. The PDP has clearly stated that it will give equal rights and a sense of belonging to all defectors.

    “This deadline applies to Saraki, Dogara, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, other governors, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, Speakers and members of the State Houses of Assembly; and other party chieftains.

    “The conduct of primaries by all parties is expected to begin on August 18. Any serious defector, technically, has less than three weeks to do so in order to be able to integrate with the structure of the party.

    “And the National Assembly will soon go on break to enable the lawmakers participate in the primaries.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “I think Wike, who is a key facilitator in strengthening PDP ahead of 2019 poll, is working on a deadline to prevent undue pressure on the APC bigwigs which might make them change their decision.”

    No timeframe for defection, says Ologbondiyan

    However, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said last night that there is no timeframe for defection.

    “There is no timeframe for defection. Our constitution says those who are coming to our party can contest election within one month to the conduct of any elective post. And even that one month can still be waived,” he said when contacted by The Nation.

    Continuing, the PDP spokesman said: “I am not aware of the two-week deadline given to those who are defecting and it could not have been true.

    “It is natural for those defecting, who want to contest for elective offices in 2019, to join PDP before the primaries.”

    What INEC time table stipulates

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in January released the guidelines and schedule of activities for the 2019 poll.

    According to the guidelines, all political parties are expected to collect forms for all elections latest by August 24, 2018.

    The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the notice of election would be communicated on August 17, 2018 in line with Section 30(1) of the Electoral 2010 which provides that the notice of election be made not later than 90 days before the election.

    He said the conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes from the exercise will hold between August 18 and October 7, 2018.

    Saraki summons meeting with associates

    Sources said Saraki is currently on the last lap of his consultations with his associates on whether to defect or not.

    A final decision is expected to be taken at the meeting which will take place anytime this week.

    Although it was reliably learnt that the session might take place on Monday, it could not be officially confirmed as at the time of going to the press.

    “There is pressure from the two main parties on the President of the Senate. I can tell you that Saraki is on the last lap of consultation on whether to remain in APC or defect to PDP,” a well placed source said last night.

    “You can see that even the President, Vice President and some governors met with him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

    “A committee, set up to consult widely in all the zones and local government areas in Kwara State, has strongly recommended that he should defect. Left to members of the immediate family of Saraki, they do not want him to stay a day longer in APC because of his ordeal in the last three years.

    “As a leader, the president of the Senate will hold a session with his associates, loyalists and strategists on whether to defect or not.  The meeting will hold this week with Monday tentatively in mind. It is a moment he did not expect will come so soon after joining others to form a coalition which led to the birth of APC.”

    The source added: “The greatest concern of Saraki and his loyalists borders on whether President Buhari and APC leaders will keep faith if he remains in APC. No one has trust in the presidency and the APC leaders.

    “If APC returns to power in 2018, the Buhari administration will be going through its constitutionally acceptable second term in which there will not be anything at stake. Are you sure Saraki will be safe enough?”

     

  • Defection: Rep denies R-APC

    A member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Lado Suleja (APC, Gurara/Suleja/Tafa in Niger State), has denied dumping the All Progressives Congress (APC) and teaming up with the R-APC.

    The former National Youth Leader of the party said in Abuja that it was mischievous to link him with defection as reported by a section of the media.

    Lado, a strong ally of former Kano State governor and a member of R-APC, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, said that his close relationship with the senator notwithstanding, he has no intention whatsoever to dump the ruling party.

    He said: “I’m not only a bonafide and card-carrying member of the APC, in the past I held the post of National Youth Leader of our party.

    “At this point, considering the ongoing political undercurrents in the country and my party in particular, it has become pertinent to affirm that I’ve not switched camp.

    “As a founding member of the party, my loyalty remains with the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Though I have personal relationship with one of the leading members of the R-APC, Senator Musa Kwanwaso, and I  share his political ideology, I’m still a member of the APC.”

     

  • Defection: Don’t push me, says Saraki

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki yesterday  pleaded that he should not be pushed to comment on his alleged plan to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “As I said, don’t worry; don’t push me. I will call at a time and I will  tell Nigerians,” he told reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    Saraki also refused to comment on what he would do over pressure by some of his followers to lead them out of the APC.

    It was the first time Saraki would be visiting the state after the Supreme Court’s verdict.

    The Senate President said his three years’ trial on alleged false declaration of asset was tough.

    He, however, expressed satisfaction that his followers never doubted his innocence, as he had told them severally.

    Saraki said: “It’s been a long journey  for  all my people in the state, and today we thank the Almighty God for this. I want to thank all of them, who did not at any time waver. They believe in my innocence and supported me throughout those three very tough years and it was a great feeling for all of us.

    “It is my first homecoming to thank them for all the support they have given me and the victory and for the fact that the truth prevailed and justice was done.  Today is a day for me to visit, and more importantly, thank the people for the support they have given for years.

    “As I always say, time will come for everything; a time will come I will tell people where I am and  what I’m doing. For now, it is just to thank the people of the state because the last three years have been tough and they are still  committed and remain and I have to appreciate that. I appreciate that.”

     

     

  • Kwara APC awaits Saraki’s directive on defection

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state yesterday said it is awaiting Senate President Bukola Saraki’s directive on defection from the ruling party.

    State APC Chairman Ishola Balogun-Fulani told reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital that members of the party remained committed to Saraki and would follow his decision.

    Balogun-Fulani described the APC as a broken party, saying the cord of unity among members had been severed due to internal wrangling and the “unwarranted” trial of the Senate President.

    When asked to respond to a call last week by the party’s three senatorial chairmen asking Saraki to lead them out of the APC.

    He said:”Everyone has a right to express what he wants but as for us, we wait on what our leader (Saraki) will decide ”

    Baligun- Fulani expressed relief, satisfaction and justification by the decision of the Supreme Court  acquitting Saraki of allegations of false asset declaration, pointing out that the party held the same position since the now ended trial began three years ago.

    “Like we have always maintained, no political party ever survived war waged against itself. Indeed, It is now clear that the bond of cohesion in the APC has been weakened, damaged, fractured and severed.

  • Olujimi laments defection of ex-deputy governor

    Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has expressed concern that the massive defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might affect its chances in the July 14 governorship poll. Olujimi said it was sad that three former deputy governors, Chief Abiodun Aluko, Chief Adebisi Omoyeni and Dr. Sikiru Lawal, had left the party in the last one year over alleged dictatorship and imposition by Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The lawmaker representing Ekiti South in the National Assembly said her ambition on the PDP platform was intact, urging the party’s delegates to entrust her with the governorship ticket. She spoke at a news conference in Ikere-Ekiti after giving account of her stewardship and inaugurated projects in many towns and communities in her senatorial district.

    The federal legislator said she was still very much in the race for the PDP governorship ticket, saying she would fight on to the end to realise her ambition of becoming the first female governor in the Fountain of Knowledge. “It is worrisome that we are losing our prominent members. But I am a fighter, I will fight on until the right things are done in the PDP. Our national leaders promised to be up and doing otherwise they will take the blame for standing with their hands akimbo while this crisis lasted; this is not good.”

     

  • Investigate alleged defection, group urges Kwara APC

    A group within the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), known as the Progressive Caucus (PC), has called on the leadership of the party to investigate the alleged defection of the Special Adviser to the Senate President, Hon. Moshood Mustapha. Stories of Mustapha dumping the ruling APC for the opposition PDP went viral on social media during the week.

    Rising from a meeting in Ilorin, the state capital, on Thursday, the group said the online news has caused disquiet among members of the party in Kwara State, particularly when it has not been debunked by the person involved. It therefore called on the party to look into the matter and establish the truth or otherwise of the matter in order to calm frayed nerves within the party.

    “We are concerned that the leadership of our party in Kwara State has abdicated its primary roles for mundane and pedestrian moves. The personality involved is not a small fry in the party, so this story cannot be wished away for whatever reason. The party has suffered huge image battering in recent times while the leadership of the party in Kwara State appears to be on vacation.

    “Since Honourable Moshood Mustapha has not denied the report or counter those claims in the online report it behoves the party to find out the true state of things from him,” the statement, signed by Kayode Sullyman, said.

    Efforts by The Nation to get the reaction of Hon. Mustapha to the story proved abortive as calls and text messages sent to his phone line got no response from him.

     

  • 2019: Politics of defection in Oyo

    2019: Politics of defection in Oyo

    An unprecedented defection rally was held at the historic Mapo Hall, Ibadan last week to welcome former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin and other notable politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). BISI OLADELE examines the implications of the defections for the 2019 elections in the state.

    The last time the historic Mapo Hall witnessed such a huge crowd was in 2015 during the preparations for the general elections. Without any election coming soon, the All Progressives Congress (APC) pulled a surprise, not only on other political parties, but on observers and residents across Oyo State.

    The event was to celebrate the 68th birthday of the governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. But, the celebrator and the party leadership used the occasion to make a point. The rally shook Ibadan and the entire state.

    Astute politician and APC stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu led top leaders in the state and some national officers to a rousing welcome at Mapo that afternoon. He is a man party faithful and ordinary folks love to see and hear at such rallies. His presence and that of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola accentuated the pull.

    The defectors, who are notable politicians in the state, also pulled crowds of supporters from across the state.

    Coming at a time the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just succeeded in regaining its feet in Oyo State, the December 16 rally has forced it and other parties back to the drawing board.

    Those who left PDP, Labour Party (LP) and Accord include Adebayo Alao-Akala, Senator Teslim Folarin, Alao-Akala’s deputy while in office, Taofeek Arapaja, the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member of the House of Representatives from the state, Hon. Dokun Odebunmi, former Secretary to Government, Ayodele Adigun, the immediate past PDP Chairman, Yinka Taiwo, and Accord party members in the House of Assembly.

    Others are former permanent secretary, Rauf Olaniyan; former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ashimiyu Alarape; a former member of the House of Representatives, Kamil Akinlabi; a former Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Kehinde Olaosebikan; Senator Brimo Yussuf; former PDP woman leader Mrs. Olanrewaju Otiti, Folake Olunloyo, Lukeman Oorelope and Kemi Jaiyeoba-Olorunsogo.

    Addressing the crowd of party supporters and others who  defied the scorching sun to catch the fun of the event, Tinubu assured them that the party has all it takes to accommodate all the poltical heavyweights joining its fold.

    With the calibre of new members, Tinubu and Ajimobi said the opposition was dead in the state.

    Tinubu said the APC has “a stainless kitchen” that is large enough to accommodate as many cooks as possible.

    Allaying fears on how to manage the political differences of the heavyweights joining the party, Tinubu noted that the APC has a variety of menu in the political kitchen for the future of the country.

    He said: “We have a stainless kitchen and we can accommodate as many cooks as possible and because we have a variety of menu in the political kitchen of planning this future, we love those bigwigs and we can accommodate them all. It is in the same forest that you find a hippo that you find an elephant and you will find a rabbit. In political platforms, you must look for the addition not the minus.

    “You can see that the opposition is dead in Oyo State.  Today is important for us because it is the birthday of the Governor Ajimobi and things that have never happened in the history of Oyo State have started happening. Thank God for my friend Alao-Akala and the others for seeing the light. All of you that joined will also join in building the party. The APC house is great for all of us. We are proud of you for joining us. APC is the only progressive party in NIgeria and Africa.”

    He pointed out that it has become very clear that APC would win in 2019.

    The rally was attended by Aregbesola and his Ondo State counterpart, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Chief Pius Akinyelure and his Northeast counterpart. Also in attendance was the Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni.

     

    How the defection will change the game

    In the 2011 and 2015 elections, the three key players in the governorship race in Oyo State were Ajimobi, Alao-Akala and a former governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja. The three candidates garnered about 80 per cent of the total votes cast in the two elections. The situation has not changed with regard to their support base.

    While Ajimobi and Alao-Akala now cohabit in the APC, Ladoja, who ran on the platform of Accord in the last two elections, has returned to his former party, PDP, as the leader.

    But, the defection has altered their support base and influence.

     

    Ajimobi

    With Alao-Akala in the APC, Ajimobi is now further confirmed as the most significant politician in Oyo State today. He won the last two elections convincingly, defeating both Alao-Akala and Ladoja. Now that Alao-Akala has come into the APC with his followers, Ogbomoso zone is now added to the kitty for the leading party. In the 2011 election, Ajimobi won in Ibadan, Oyo and Ibarapa zones while Alao-Akala won in Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun zones.

    In the 2015 election, the governor had added Oke-Ogun Zone by reasons of his performance.

    Now that Akala cohabits with him along with his supporters in the APC, the party clearly has stronger support base across the state.

    Though Ladoja had his best outings only in Ibadan in the last two elections, Ajimobi defeated him in the  city.

    Aside building political profile for himself, the defection has put the APC in a more comfortable position for the 2019 elections.

     

    Alao-Akala

    After losing twice, Akala’s defection to the APC will strengthen his relevance in Oyo politics. His lieutenants will gain patronage while he will remain highly influential, both in Oyo and national politics.

    He will retain his hold on Ogbomoso and parts of Oke-Ogun while wining and dining with national political figures. For him, the defection will mark the beginning of the revival of his political relevance.

     

    Ladoja

    Although Ladoja is now the leader of the PDP in Oyo State, the fortunes of the party had plummeted since 2011 due to implosion. The top party leaders in Ibadan moved against Alao-Akala, who was then the governor. Some of them worked against his candidature in the 2011 election without leaving the party. Since then, the PDP has been unable to regain its strength in Oyo State. The same crisis made Ladoja abandoned the PDP for Accord.

    But the party’s dissenting voices recently come together on the calculation that their coalescence would produce a majority over the APC. They argued that Ajimobi won the last election by scoring only 35 per cent of the total votes. Their thinking was that combining forces together would help send the APC packing in 2019.

    But with Alao-Akala and Folarin out of the PDP, the permutation of the leaders may have been punctured from the start. Several followers of Ladoja who also refused to join PDP are also in the APC now. Some members of the House of Assembly as well as Mr Ademola Ojo, who was a staunch Ladoja’s supporter in Ibarapa, are now in the APC.

    With the defections and the APC at the federal level, Ladoja and PDP will struggle hard to wrest power from the APC in 2019. They will need several policy somersaults by Ajimobi and the rejection for the APC at the national level to spring a surprise.

    Although Ibadan may remain highly divided as experienced in 2015, the APC will most likely coast into victory in other zones to defeat other parties. The APC will require divine wisdom to manage the various interests in the enlarged party to prevent what has afflicted the PDP since 2007.

  • Makarfi: Atiku’s defection won’t stop me

    Makarfi: Atiku’s defection won’t stop me

    Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee Senator Ahmed Makarfi has said the defection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the party won’t stop him from also bidding for the presidential ticket should he decide to run

    In an interview in the current edition of The Interview magazine, Senator Makarfi said, “Atiku left before, he’s on his way back before the Convention.”

    On his bid for the ticket, Makarfi said: “I have heard the rumour, it has been there since 2007… I have thought of it. By the time I leave as caretaker committee chairman on 9th or 10th, there’ll still be ten months to the party primaries. By any law or the party’s guidelines, I’m not excluded.”

    In a statement, the MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview, Azu Ishiekwene described the edition as “the most revealing disclosure yet of the inner workings of the opposition trying to come to terms with its uncertain future.”

    Makarfi told The Interview that Ekiti State Govenor Ayo Fayose’s declaration of interest in the party’s presidential ticket, “is uncalled for and unhealthy.”

    Makarfi said the PDP was expecting a harvest of defections. “For some strategic reasons,” he said, “don’t expect a lot of people to move to the PDP now. People are in APC for different reasons. Wait for the time when everybody will be on his own, you will see the influx of people into the PDP.”

  • PDP loses 200 members in Ogun East to APC

    PDP loses 200 members in Ogun East to APC

    …As Akinlade seeks Ijebu’s support for Yewa governorship agenda

     

    No fewer than 200 members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun East Senatorial district have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State.

    The PDP defectors were received in Ijebu – Ode during a meeting of the Ogun East chapter of the APC presided over by the Senatorial chairman, Alhaji Folorunso Elias,  Wednesday.

    Folorunso assured the defectors that they would be accommodated and their interests protected through a level playing field.

    He said the APC remains the hope of the masses, adding that Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s achievements had further endeared many people to the party in the state.

    The meeting also coincided with ex –  House of Representatives member, Abiodun Akinlade, to APC leaders in Ogun East to  officially  declare his  intention to run for the governorship seat in 2019 on the platform of the party.

    Aknlade who hailed from Ogun West (Yewa – Awori) area of the state, urged the Ijebu people to support the quest of the Yewa-Awori to produce the next governor of the state in 2019.

    He pledged to revisit the abandoned agro-cargo airport and other  viable economic projects located in the Ijebu axis of the state if elected as governor.

    “I have come to seek for your support and prayers. The agro-cargo airport, we must do it because it will generate money, create employment and it will also open up Ogun East area.

    “I have knocked on your door, please open up and help me to secure the party ticket and become the candidate for 2019 election. I have the experience and the wherewithal to represent your interest very well,” Akinlade said.