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Tag: defection

  • Mass defection hits FCT PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Federal Capital Territory has suffered a major setback as one of the its stalwarts, Hon. Yahaya Alhassan Gwagwa has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with over 600 supporters from the six Area Councils of FCT.

    Gwagwa, who was the immediate past Mandate Secretary of Area Council Service Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration was received by the APC executives and other stakeholders of the party in his Gwagwa ward office.

    Though, he did not elaborate much on why he is quitting the PDP, there were speculations that his movement to the ruling APC might not be unconnected with the forthcoming Area Councils elections scheduled to hold next year.

    Gwagwa told our correspondent after the ceremony that he decided to move from his former party to the APC to contribute his quota to the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to him, “I have found integrity, honesty and competence in the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and I cannot stay aloof and watch things from the sidelines”.

    Gwagwa who is believed to be a grassroots politician and the Sardaunan of Gwagwa used the occasion to call on his numerous supporters to vote for the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming FCT Area Council elections, even as he noted that the present administration will lead the country and FCT to the promised land.

    Earlier, the ward chairman of the party, Hon. Mohammed Apula described the movement as a vote of confidence on the leadership of APC, assuring that the party will capture the six Area Councils in the next year elections.

    He described the event as a major landmark, while tasking the defectors to be resolute in canvassing for votes.

    Apula assured all members of the party who are aspiring for various political position of equal opportunity, stressing that the party will be fair and just to all aspirants in the forthcoming Area Council elections scheduled for April 2016.

     

  • Mass defection looms in Abia PDP

    • Members set to dump party

    The crisis rocking the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] has worsened, with more than 40,000 of its members set to dump the party for the All Progressives Congress [APC] over alleged bad leadership.

    The leader of a group known as ‘Concern Abians for Good Governance’, Chief Tony Ukansanya, had earlier promised the National Chairman of APC, John Odigie-Oyegun of their impending movement during a meeting in Umuahia.

    During the meeting, Odiegie-Oyegun, who was represented by Chief George Moghalu, was told by Ukasanya that the group is considering their request that they join the party in the state and help the APC win election in 2019.

    Speaking with APC leaders in Umuahia, Ukansanya said that the group was formed to checkmate the excesses being exhibited by the leadership in the state.

    He said the state has been under bad leadership exhibited by the PDP in the last sixteen years, adding that the time has come for the people to speak out on who becomes their governor.

    Ukasanya said, “We are prepared to take the bold step to salvage the state from the stranglehold of those who have been holding it down for years.

    “I want to let you know that we worked for the APGA governorship candidate in the last election, Dr Alex Otti, whose mandate was stolen.

    Receiving the group, the state chairman of APC, Donatus Nwankpa, assured them that they will be given a level playing ground to work with other members of the party.

  • APC not aware of Ndoma-Egba’s defection plan

    The leadership of Southsouth All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied a report that former Cross River State Governor Clement Ebri and former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba with their supporters will soon defect to the party.

    A statement by Bassey Ita, the media aide to APC’s Southsouth National Vice Chairman Hilliard Eta, said the party’s leadership was not aware of the defection plan.

    The statement alluded to the report that Ndoma-Egba, Ebri, Senator Bassey Otu, Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo and other, who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) were planning to join APC.

    Eta said: “I am not aware of anyone defecting to our party. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, nobody is crossing over from any other party to our party in Cross River State. Since I do not know, the report that anyone is defecting to APC in Cross River State is not true.”

    The zonal chairman urged APC members and the public to discountenance the report, adding that it emanated from the figment of the writer’s imagination.

    Reports had said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, among the party’s top chieftains, would receive thousands of PDP defectors in Cross River State into the APC at a rally billed for September 26 at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

  • Bayelsa PDP elders meet Dickson over defection

    Bayelsa PDP elders meet Dickson over defection

    Bayelsa State elders and members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have met with Governor Seriake Dickson, following the mass exodus of the party members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the December 5 governorship election.

    A statement yesterday by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Daniel Iworsio-Markson, said the elders met under the aegis of Bayelsa Elders Consultative Council (BECC). They were said those who defected from the PDP to the APC “are a disgrace to the Ijaw nation”.

    The elders unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the governor, urging him to re-contest.

    They berated the defectors, saying they are “fair weather politicians with a savage mentality”.

    Dignitaries at the meeting included the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Military Governor of old Bendel State, General John Yeri, (retd.); Chairman of the Bayelsa State Founding Fathers’ Forum, Dr. Amba Ambaiowei and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Edmond Allison-Oguru.

    The statement said Dickson decried the spate of defection, adding that the defectors are ingrates, who do not mean well for the state.

    The governor noted that most of the defectors were major beneficiaries of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s magnanimity, who abandoned him as soon as he lost the March 28 presidential election.

    He said such persons should have reciprocated the former President’s goodwill by remaining in the party instead of outright turning their backs against him.

    Dickson said: “These persons are clearly not for us; they are enemies of the Ijaw nation. It is sad that people who have benefited immensely from the PDP and Dr. Jonathan could, within so short a time, jump ship. Yet, they come and deceive us that they love us. These are not persons to be taken serious. We must not fall prey to their antics.”

    The governor urged security agencies to increase their efforts at ridding the state of criminality, despite the prevailing peace.

    He noted that the recent upsurge in kidnapping, piracy, killings and other criminal activities, might have political undertones, among other factors. Dickson decried the attacks on his administration.

    The governor said despite the distractions, the state government had continued to promote the freedom of speech and expression.

    On the state’s financial situation, Dickson said although there had been a shortfall in the revenue accruing to the state from the federal allocation, the government remained committed to paying workers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements.

    He said: “My government has completed big projects, such as the Toru-Ebeni Bridge, Ogbia/Nembe Road, the road to Boro town and the building of several secondary and primary schools at about N23 billion.

    The governor assured that the development of Bayelsa State would always be given priority.

    He called for the support, encouragement and prayers of well-meaning residents.

    Dickson said: “While I ask for your support, encouragement and prayers to make Bayelsa a better place for all, we need to tap your wealth of experience and wisdom as the government builds institutions to move the state to greater to heights.”

    The forum’s Chairman Francis Doukpola said the interaction would foster a better understanding and cooperation among stakeholders.

    He urged traditional rulers to take security issues seriously by monitoring the activities of their subjects.

    Doukpola hailed the governor for his pragmatic leadership style and commitment to the development of the state.

    He said such achievements were unprecedented in the history of the state.

     

  • Defection: Minister, Gbemi Saraki trade words

    National Planning Minister Dr. Abubakr Sulaiman and Senator Gbemisola Saraki yesterday traded words over the latter’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The senator had on the eve of the presidential election directed her supporters to cast their votes for the APC.

    She later officially announced her defection to Kwara State APC.

    But yesterday, Dr. Sulaiman described the senator as a mole in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that she defected because she lost out in the PDP governorship primaries.

    The minister, who spoke with reporters on the outcome of the governorship and state House of Assembly election, said: “Senator Gbemisola Saraki is not an issue to me. Kwarans have been talking about liberty; liberty from Saraki family. So, if Gbemisola goes back to her brother, it is the same thing.

    “Gbemisola has been a mole in the party. She was there to play a role and she has played that role and left.

    “Gbemi stood for primary election and lost. If she had won, would she have left? This is the message.”

    Reacting, Senator Saraki said: “The fact is that the minister, who claimed that he had done so much for the PDP is one of those who came and benefit from where they did not sow.

    “I think it is better for them, rather than be questioning why people left the party, to concentrate on why they are in the party and to do the best for their own party.

    “I did what is best to leave the party for Kwara and for Nigeria as we all know, as it is evident in the result of the last election that the country is about change. And like the PDP Chairman said at a time, ‘monkey dey work, baboon dey chop period’ is over.”

     

  • Defection not good for political devt – Oyegun

    Defection not good for political devt – Oyegun

    Chief John Oyegun, National Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), said on Saturday that the gale of defections by politicians was not good for Nigeria’s political development.

    Oyegun, who spoke to newsmen in Benin shortly after casting his vote, advised those defecting to the winning party to rather form a formidable opposition to enrich the nation’s democracy.

    “Many opposition party members have defected to APC just because they lost out, that is not good for political development.

    “One would have advised that opposition members should stay where they are, and form a formidable opposition party,” Oyegun said.

    He described the governorship and house of assembly elections as “the most decent, ordely and peaceful” ever conducted in Edo.

    Meanwhile the APC national chairman has won the election in his polling unit.

  • Ex-Niger SSG, over 5,000 PDP members join APC

    Ex-Niger SSG, over 5,000 PDP members join APC

    Former Secretary to Niger State government, Comrade Adams Erena Tuesday pulled out over 5,000 critical stakeholders in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Minna, the state capital.

    The former SSG, a former National Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and all other decampees, which include a member of the state House of Assembly, former Commissioners, local government chairmen and former PDP grassroot leaders were received at a mega rally in Minna.

    Party leader and deputy governor of the state, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, who dumped PDP last January while receiving the decampees challenged them to work for the success of the party in Saturday‘ governorship and state assembly elections.

    Ibeto assured the decampees that they will be accorded equal rights and privileges of old members as the party is known for justice, equity and fairness.

    He urged them to add value to the electoral fortunes of the party by ensuring the victory of the party in their wards and constituencies during Saturday elections.

    “We receive you unconditionally, I congratulate you all for joining the winning train at the right time, although we have won the three senatorial seats and all the house of representatives but it is not over until our gubernatorial candidate wins, am sure we will not allowed any other party to win even one councilor in Niger state”.

    Elated with the calibre of decampees, the party chairman, Engineer Mohammed Imam said their joining will strengthened and unify the party assuring them of peace and justice which will be maintained for the progress of the party.

    The party’s standard bearer, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello said the fortunes of the party had continued to increase since the coming on board of Hon. Ibeto, the deputy governor to the party.

    Bello then promised to work with the decampees without discrimination to take the state to the next level.

    The party Chairman for contact/ mobilization, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji who presented the decampees to the party described the people as ‘critical stakeholders’ from PDP.

  • About Gbemi Saraki’s rumoured defection

    About Gbemi Saraki’s rumoured defection

    IN the last few weeks, the political circles in Kwara State have been awash with rumours that Senator Gbemi Saraki is toying with the idea of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The former lawmaker, it was learnt, has allegedly made up her mind to leave PDP owing to her personality clash with some PDP leaders in the state particularly Hajia Bola Shagaya. Saraki’s next political camp however remains a matter of conjecture, as she has kept almost everyone, including her close political associates guessing.

    The female politician has a big surprise up her sleeves, is what sources close to her could only volunteer on her possible next line of action.

  • Defection: Maku tackles Mark, PDP leaders

    Defection: Maku tackles Mark, PDP leaders

    FORMER Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, joined issues yesterday with the President of the Senate, Mr. David Mark, for condemning his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    He asked Mark to explain why he remained mute over the defections in Benue State involving a former Minister of State for Trade and Investment Dr. Sam Ortom and a former PDP National Chairman Senator Barnabas Gemade.Maku said he left PDP because of lack of justice and unfair treatment.

    The former minister said he did not drop the name of President Goodluck Jonathan as the force behind his governorship aspiration, urging his supporters to ignore insinuations and threats against him by PDPMaku, who spoke in a statement through the Director of Publicity Maku Campaign Organisation, Zakari Edego, said he knew he would be blackmailed and maligned for daring the status quo.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Maku Campaign Organisation has been drawn to repeated accusations by some leaders of the PDP, who continuously portray the governorship candidate of APGA, Mr. Labaran Maku, as an ingrate for dumping the PDP to pursue his ambition in APGA.

    ”The accusations have amounted to blackmailing President Goodluck Jonathan of allegedly sponsoring Mr. Maku to contest the governorship of Nasarawa State on the platform of APGA.

    ”Last week, at the PDP rally in Keffi to flag-off the campaign of the highly unpopular Alhaji Yusuf Agabi, the Senate President, David Mark, accused Mr. Maku of being ungrateful because he left the PDP to emerge as the governorship candidate of APGA in Nasarawa State.

    ”On Tuesday, January 27, 2015, various speakers at the presidential campaign in Lafia repeated the same accusations.”While Mr. Maku has high respect for Senator Mark and Dr. Ahmadu Ali and wishes not to join issues with them, he finds it especially curious that Senator Mark has remained mute over the defection in his own native Benue State of a former Minister of State for Trade and Investment Dr. Sam Ortom and a former PDP National Chairman Senator Barnabas Gemade, who have gone all the way to the opposition APC to contest for the governorship and senatorial positions.

    ”Why has Senator Mark not condemned these defections from his native Benue State? Why the undue attention on Mr. Maku and Nasarawa State?”

    The ex-minister, who accused PDP of panicking, said he left the party because of injustice.

  • Umana’s defection alters 2015 calculations in Akwa Ibom

    Umana’s defection alters 2015 calculations in Akwa Ibom

    Former Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government Umana Umana has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a ceremony in Uyo, the state capital, witnessed by APC leaders and a large crowd of supporters. Correspondent KAZEEM IBRAHYM writes on the implication if the defection for the ruling party and next general elections. 

    Brooms fill the air In Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State. The large crowd of supporters had a message for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): the party will not remain the same, following the defection of former Secretary to Government Umana Umana to the All Progressives Congress (APC). No fewer than 30,000 supporters across the three senatorial districts defected along with the politician.

    Many believed that the defection of Umana will define the political direction of the state, ahead of next year’s polls. The Asan Ibibio Ground, the venue of the cross-over rally, was filled to the brim. As early as 10am, party faithful had converged, singing and dancing.

    Big wigs who defected along with the former SSG include two former ministers, Dr. Ime Okopido and Obong Rita Akpan, who are founding member of the PDP. Other  defectors include  Otuekong Sunny Jackson from Uyo Senatorial District, former treasurer of the defunct All Nigeria peoples Party (PDP) and member of the House of Assembly, Dr. Morris Ebong, Linus Akpan, an engineer, Obong Cyril Ekiko, a former lawmaker, Okon Uwa, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly; Uwem Udoma; Dr Chris Ekong, a former commissioner, Chief Sonny Udom, a the former member of the House of Representatives and Obong Imo Isemin, wife of the former governor.

    Others were former Commissioner Dr. Emem Wills, former Special Adviser Sammy Frank, Clement Bassey former commissioner and former member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Emmanuel Obot, former member of House of Representatives, Chief Okon Ekanem, a former Permanent Secretary; Chief Victor Iyanam, and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Bishop Asuquo Ekanem.

    Umana and other defectors were received by the APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, the National Leader, his deputy, Chief Segun Oni, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, presidential aspirants former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Sam Nda-Isaiah.

    The rally was witnessed by Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso, his Rivers State counterpart,  Rotimi Amaechi,  the Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Hilliard Eta.

    Oyegun his in address to party faithful said APC is confident of victory in the next year poll in Akwa Ibom State, saying with the coming of APC on board, the development which has eluded the people for long, would come.

    Oyegun told the electorate to equip themselves with their voter’s cards, which he described as  the only instrument needed to  sweep PDP out of power. He said that with the coming of Umana and others into the party, the train of change has begun in the state.

    He critisised the PDP-led government for abhorring corruption and using the security agencies to attack the opposition. His words: “Many of you who don’t have the voters’ cards must go and have the voters’ cards. The voter’s card is your weapon for change. How many of you are happy with the level of corruption in this country?

    “Corruption is the sole reason that education has collapsed, that health is collapsing, it is the sole reason that our roads are not looked after. It is the sole reason for the problem we are having in the country today. In APC we have zero tolerance for corruption.

    “Another duty we owe to the youth of this country is to provide them with jobs. We have worked out our programmes to achieve these.

    “Now we are going to have a third colossus like Umana in APC after having former Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Senator James Udoedehe and former Military Administrator of both Ogun and Rivers state, Sam Ewang.  Strong people like Umana are just discovering that they have been working for a party that is destroying this country. Umana should demonstrate how he can use the broom to sweep the destroyer.”

    Even the Akwa Ibom State APC chairman, Dr. Amadu Attai, in his speech, bemoaned the level of corruption in the PDP-led government, saying the last seven years of PDP in the Akwa Ibom state has been fraudulent and traumatic for the people.

    Attai decried that despite the oil-money, Akwa Ibom is still one of the poorest states in the country, this he said, would stop as soon as APC takes over the mantle of leadership in 2015.

    He said: “We have been suffocated by the government of the PDP. The state is the richest but the people are the poorest since Akpabio took over the mantle of leadership.

    “The ruling party and the Presidency have failed to listen to the concern of the elders. Governor Akpabio wants to install himself as a third term governor through a pseudo arrangement. Today’s event has proven that APC is on the part of winning Akwa Ibom State in 2015.”

    In his remarks, Asiwaju Tinubu, called for ‘common sense revolution’  to end  the PDP ‘misrule’.

    He said that when God wanted to deliver the people of Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh  He gave the Israelites instructions through their leader, Moses and they took their destiny in their hands and their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage of over 400 years was secured.

    He said the way to start the revolution is for the people getting their voters’ card from INEC  and be ready to vote for the agent of change symbolized by the APC in the coming general elections next year.

    He said: “Your voters’ card is the weapon for common sense revolution. The common sense revolution is not by bloodshed. It is about voters’ card. Ensure that you get it from INEC to change the government in Abuja and other states not controlled by the APC.

    Tinubu explained that with Umana and his supporters joining  APC and  working with people like Senator John Udoedehe, Captain Sam Ewang and others, the Akwa Ibom people are on the way to delivering  the state from impunity that has rocked the state all these years.

    The national leader also said APC would make the people the cornerstone of their policies and programmes.

    Tinubu also recalled how Senator James Udoedehe went to jail in the hands of the PDP-led government in the state during the 2011 general elections.

    He said: “John Udoedehe suffered, he went to jail and almost got killed in the hands of the PDP government. I am happy to see him stand here today with another of our brother Umana. Both of you must join hands together in Unity.”

    Also, the APC Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, urged Nigerians and Akwa Ibom people to unite and rescue the state from the ruling PDP next year.  He said: “Make sure there is a change in the next election. Whoever is you candidate, the persons who wins should be supported.”

    Another APC Presidential aspirant, Sam Nda-Isaiah, said it has become necessary for Nigerians to ensure they vote out PDP in the next general election.

     

    He said presently, there are 48 million young Nigerians without jobs.  He asked Nigerians to vote for APC candidates as the party, saying the party is ready to turn the misfortune of Nigerians caused by PDP miss-governance around with god policies.

    He said:  “The time to change has come and Nigerians must seize the opportunity to vote out PDP government.”

    Another chieftain of the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said with the coming election, time has come for Nigerians to deliver themselves.

    Onu  said nobody is happy the way things are in the country and prayed for God’s grace to enable the party win next year and turn things around for the good of all in the country.

    In his words, the national Vice Chairman of the party for the South/South region, Prince Hillary Etta, said majority in Akwa Ibom have taken a stand to secure change for the suffering of the people.

    He said though President Jonathan is from the Southsouth, he has failed to impact Akwa Ibom and indeed Nigerians in any meaningful way.

    Umana, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, asked PDP to return his N11million he used to purchase the nomination form for the governorship race.

    Umana said he decided to seek the mandate of Akwa Ibom people to serve as governor on the platform of the APC because the party offered the people the freedom to elect leaders of their choice without the undemocratic practice of imposition by a single person or a political cabal.

    He promised to lead an administration, if elected, whose priority would be job creation, industrialisation, war against poverty and unemployment; investment in quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and other forms of people empowerment.

    With Unana and others PDP bigwigs finally in APC, the coming months will be interesting politically in the oil-rich state between the party and PDP.