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Tag: Ekweremadu

  • Mark, Ekweremadu seek free, fair elections

    Ahead of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security operatives to conduct the exercise in a manner that is fair and just to all parties and their candidates.

    Mark also asked all stakeholders in the Nigerian project to ensure that the elections are conducted within the ambit of the law insisting that the will of the people must be allowed to prevail.

    He cautioned those fanning the ambers of war to think otherwise “because there is no other country we can call ours but Nigeria”.

    Senator Mark expressed optimism that a peaceful conduct of the election is possible if everyone carried out his or her legitimate duty in a honest and orderly manner according to the rules of the game.

    He urged the electorate to vote for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in order to turn around the countries declining economy once again.

    Senator Mark in a statement by his media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, expressed optimism that the pains of a declining economy would be reversed for gainful employment and a prosperous nation if the PDP returns to power.

    He said the PDP has a defined road map on how to revamp the ailing economy and get Nigeria to work again.

    Senator Mark therefore urged the electorate to vote for PDP Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, its governorship, Senatatoral, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly candidates in the elections.

    Also Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) and security agencies will take the either the blame or the praise of the elections.

    He reminded INEC and the security agencies that they would bear both the blame and praise in the conduct of the 2019 general elections, admonishing them to exhibit the highest sense of patriotism and professionalism.

    A statement by the media aide to Ekweremadu, Uche Anichukwu, said that the Deputy Senate President gave the admonition while speaking with journalists at the Enugu West People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Mega Rally, which held at Agwu, Enugu State.

    Anichukwu quoted Ekweremadu to have said: “I believe that the INEC will be able to conduct free and fair elections if they follow the rules. They have said that several times. But they also have to understand that, as the President would say, the world is also watching us. At the end of the day, it is the INEC that will be on trial. It is their chairman that will be on trial. If anything goes wrong, he will be held responsible. If it goes well, he will take all the credit.

    “We have come a long way as a country. We have tried to freshen up our electoral processes through some legislative efforts. We have amended the constitution severally in order to get the best practices. But no matter the quantum of laws we have made, the important thing is for INEC to live up to expectations to get their people to do the correct thing whether you are ad hoc staff or you are a permanent staff of INEC. Ultimately they will answer for their conduct”.

    He added that it was also up to the security agencies to live up to their several promises of neutrality, professional conduct, and protection of INEC, electoral materials and voters.

    “We have heard their promises. We will give them benefit of doubt. But they must have to remember that in 2015, some people allegedly compromised their positions and many of them lost their jobs. To compromise yourself because of one politician that choses to be fraudulent is not worth it. Then, you would have compromised your career and family.

    “They (security agents) must realise that there will be a day or days after the elections. Whatever you do, you will also answer for your conduct.

    “Importantly too, I believe that the best judge of human conduct is your conscience. I appeal to them to be conscientious and professional because we are going to tell the story after Saturday in terms of who did what and eventually blames will come and praises will as well.”

    Ekweremadu tipped the PDP to record a landslide victory in Enugu, but called for vigilance.

    He said, “Because Enugu is basically PDP we are not expecting any problem. We just expect that people will move very early to the polling stations, stay there for the arrival of the voting materials, crosscheck the materials to ensure that all necessary materials are there, and then commence the process of accreditation and voting.

    “After voting they should remain there and wait until the end and of course to watch the votes collated and results announced before they leave. They will not only take copies, but also take pictures of the results and be able to circulate as widely as possible. With that I am sure that they will be able have control of what happens. Eternal vigilance”, he concluded.

    The mega rally turned a carnival as popular Nigerian musical artistes, including Davido, Flavour, Zoro, Quincy, Nigga Raw, among others thrilled the mammoth crowd and dignitaries such the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwunayi.

  • We will return PDP to power, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has said that the people of Southeast will vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the general elections. He said the sense of belonging given to the Southeast and infrastructural facilities in the region provided by the PDP will make the people vote for the party.

    Ekweremadu addressed a rally at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, during the flag-off of the Enugu State presidential campaign last weekend.

    He said: “Today, we have assembled to showcase our love for the PDP. And we have reasons to do so.

    “PDP is the party that gave our people the President of Senate of this country. They gave us Deputy President of the Senate. They gave us the National Chairman and Secretary of the PDP. They gave us the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). They gave us the Minister of Finance. They gave us the Chief of Army Staff for the time since after the civil war. They gave us the Inspector General of Police. In fact, they gave us a sense of belonging.

    “But, since the PDP lost power at the centre, we lost all these. Now, we are going back to power. Now, we believe that with our own son as the Vice President and our sister as the First Lady, we will return to power. So, this is down to our people”.

    Ekweremadu said the PDP started the Second Niger Bridge, adding that the PDP also gave the Southeast “access to the international community through the international airport, just to name but a few”.

    He added: “So, the PDP has done so much for us, but the good news is that the party is even ready to do more for us.

    “When we go to the polls on February 16, we will vote Atiku Abubabar as President and Mr. Peter Obi as his Vice President and return all the PDP candidates to the National Assembly. We will do the same on March 2 and return our Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and all our House of Assembly candidates.”

  • We will return PDP to power, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has said that the people of Southeast will vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the general elections.

    He said the sense of belonging given to the Southeast and infrastructural facilities in the region provided by the PDP will make the people vote for the party.

    Ekweremadu addressed a rally at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, during the flag-off of the Enugu State presidential campaign last weekend.

    He said: “Today, we have assembled to showcase our love for the PDP. And we have reasons to do so.

    “PDP is the party that gave our people the President of Senate of this country. They gave us Deputy President of the Senate. They gave us the National Chairman and Secretary of the PDP. They gave us the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). They gave us the Minister of Finance. They gave us the Chief of Army Staff for the time since after the civil war. They gave us the Inspector General of Police. In fact, they gave us a sense of belonging.

    “But, since the PDP lost power at the centre, we lost all these. Now, we are going back to power. Now, we believe that with our own son as the Vice President and our sister as the First Lady, we will return to power. So, this is down to our people”.

    Ekweremadu said the PDP started the Second Niger Bridge, adding that the PDP also gave the Southeast “access to the international community through the international airport, just to name but a few”.

    He added: “So, the PDP has done so much for us, but the good news is that the party is even ready to do more for us.

    “When we go to the polls on February 16, we will vote Atiku Abubabar as President and Mr. Peter Obi as his Vice President and return all the PDP candidates to the National Assembly. We will do the same on March 2 and return our Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and all our House of Assembly candidates.”

  • Senate confirms REC, DG ICRC

    The Senate on Thursday confirmed appointment of Mr Monday Udo Tom from Akwa Ibom State as Resident Electoral Commissioner.

    This followed presentation of report by the Chairman Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sen. Suleiman Nazif, at the plenary.

    The Senate also confirmed Engr. Chidi Izuwah as the Director-General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

    In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, congratulated Udo Tom on the confirmation.

    He said with the confirmation, INEC was fully constituted to carry out its mandate in the forthcoming elections.

    Read Also:  Senate urges FG to immortalise Shagari

    He said, “all hands must be on deck to ensure credible elections and I appeal for neutrality and independence of INEC as an umpire.”

    Ekweremadu also congratulated Izuwah and urged him to find lasting solution to the problem of infrastructure deficit in the country.

    He charged him to ensure that the operations of ICRC were in line with international best practices.

  • No division in PDP, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Monday, frowned at the reports purporting divisions in the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

    Ekweremadu described the reports as “cheap blackmail, smear campaign, and extreme propaganda” and urged party faithful and supporters not to be distracted by the lie mills as the nation approached the critical stages of the 2019 elections, but to remain focused on delivering the votes to ensure the success of the PDP.

    The Senator, who took to his social media handles @iamekweremadu, to make the explanations, said: “My attention has been drawn to the orchestrated attempts by some characters to create the impression of a divided house in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the coming presidential election. Such characters dish out fake and divisive stories without source on a daily basis and attribute same to me.

    “While I refuse to be distracted by such cheap blackmail, smear campaign, and extreme propaganda, it is important to reassure our supporters that the PDP is united and focused on wresting power from the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    “After the PDP lost the presidency and majority status at the National Assembly in 2015, I made it clear that I would stand by the party, no matter what. It took other party stakeholders and I a lot of efforts, sacrifices, soul-searching, and painstaking negotiations to hold the party together and rebuild it. If I did not abandon the PDP at its darkest hour, it does not make the slightest sense to say that I abandoned it now that its sun is rising again.

    Read Also: Withdraw charges against CJN, Ekweremadu urges FG

    “Meanwhile, I have held separate meetings with our Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi and the Chairman, South East Governors Forum, Dave Umahi, to work out strategies for the success of our party and candidates in the coming elections. We are also setting up a meeting of South East PDP stakeholders by weekend to continue to strategise on the coming elections.

    “I have no doubt that the South East leaders will deliver the region overwhelmingly to the PDP and I expect that other leaders will also do the same in their respective geopolitical zones”.

  • ‘Ekweremadu not banned from travelling’

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has not been barred from travelling outside the country, his Special Adviser on media, Uche Anichukwu, has said.

    Anichukwu, in a statement yesterday, said the clarification became necessary following misleading reports that Ekweremadu had been banned from travelling out of the country on the request of the Special Presidential Investigative Panel on Recovery of Public Property.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate has been drawn to a misleading report that Senator Ike Ekweremadu has been banned from travelling out of the country on the request of the Special Presidential Investigative Panel on the Recovery of Public Property.

    “For clarity and emphasis, the Office wishes to restate that Ekweremadu is not in court with the panel or any other government agency over any corruption case.

    ‘’He was rather sued by the SPIP on the grounds that he, in the panel’s words, allegedly “neglected to declare” his assets “in the manner prescribed by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property”.

    “Ekweremadu’s position is that the Constitution demands every public officer to declare his or her assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau every four years, a provision he had since fulfilled, hence his refusal to fill fresh asset declaration forms forwarded to him by the panel contrary to the Constitution.

    “It is also his position that the Public Property Special Provisions Act, CAP R4 LFN, 2004, otherwise known as Decree No. 3, 1984, which the panel relied on to charge public officials to court, has become obsolete, and power to investigate non-asset declaration is now vested in the Code of Conduct Bureau by the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Therefore, only the Code of Conduct Bureau can receive asset declaration forms from public officers.

    “The Court of Appeal recently gave a judicial imprimatur to this when it ruled in a similar matter that the SPIP has no prosecutorial powers whatsoever, hence the panel is acting ultravires.

    “The Federal High Court, Abuja, at the November 8 hearing on the matter, declined the panel’s request to order the senator’s arrest since he is challenging the panel’s legality. So, whereas the excesses and smear tactics of the SPIP is not in doubt, the report is considered false and misleading, especially since our interaction with those concerned indicated that the only medium that listed Ekweremadu and was subsequently copied by some online platforms, confirmed that the reporter was neither given nor saw any list that contains Ekweremadu’s name.”

  • Eid-el-Maulud: Buhari, Saraki, Ekweremadu, governors, others greet Nigerians

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday led other leaders in felicitating with the citizens, especially Muslims at home and abroad, on the occasion of Eid-el-Maulud celebration, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.

    Others who greeted Nigerians on the occasion are Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi  Ugwuanyi, Governor  Ibikunle Amosun and others.

    President wishes citizens peace, happiness, good health

    In a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, the President wished everyone peace, happiness and good health.

    Buhari also said the nation is making great progress under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government in dealing with issues of security, the war against corruption, reform and restructuring of the economy and the provision of needed infrastructure.

    But to be fully successful, he said the country needs the support and prayers of citizens.

    He asked for prayers for the nation for peaceful electioneering as it embarks on democratic elections next year.

    Buhari also expressed his confidence that the important Islamic ceremony of Eid-el-Maulud would help to promote mutual harmony and tolerance among all Nigerians.

    Show love to one another, says Saraki

    Saraki urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday celebration to show love to one another and imbibe the virtues of perseverance and restraint.

    In a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the birthday of the Holy Prophet and said the occasion should inspire Nigerians to renew their belief in the Almighty Allah  and the country.

    Ekweremadu to Nigerians: close ranks

    Ekweremadu yesterday called on Nigerians to close ranks and work for a nation, where every man is his brother’s keeper.

    He also urged for prayers for peaceful 2019 general elections and asked politicians to play by the rules and highest democratic ethos.

    He said: “As the nation joins the Muslim Ummah around the world to mark the birth of the holy prophet, let all compatriots rededicate themselves to the path of peaceful coexistence, unity, love, forgiveness, and tolerance to build a Nigeria of our dreams.

    “I urge our Muslim brethren to pray for unity and peace in the country as well as peaceful general elections in 2019.”

    ‘Replicate the Prophet’s virtues of righteousness’

    Dogara called on the Ummah to replicate in their lives, the virtues of righteousness, honestly, charity and peaceful coexistence as exemplified by the prophet.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said the celebration of Maulud is an opportunity for the adherents to  renew  faiths, rejuvenate their spirit and engender love in the society.

    Ugwuanyi urges sustained prayers, unity

    Ugwuanyi yesterday called on Nigerians to remain prayerful and committed in their abiding faith in God for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress of the country.

    Ugwuanyi, who felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful, noted that the occasion is another opportunity to continue to uphold the deeds and teachings of the Holy Prophet, which border on faith, sacrifice, obedience, love, tolerance, charity and peaceful co-existence, among others.

    Seek the face of Allah in prayer, Amosun tells faithful

    Amosun also urged Muslim faithful to use the occasion to seek the face of Allah in prayer for guidance in the choice of leaders in the build up to the 2019 general elections.

    The governor, who stated this known in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy Otunba Adedayo Adeneye, added that in the midst of the celebration, Muslims should also pray for the nation and the leaders.

    Imbibe Prophet Muhammad’s tolerance, says Obasa

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa called on Nigerians to imbibe Prophet Muhammad’s tolerance, selflessness and courage to accelerate the country’s growth

    Obasa’s advice was contained in his message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak.

    Obasa said: “Prophet Muhammad was tolerant and selfless as a leader and was courageous in implementing programmes, which enhanced and ensured improvement of lives of the citizens during his tenure as an administrator.

    “When he was head of government in Madinah, he related well with everyone irrespective of race, religion or creed. That was tolerance! His welfare programmes cater for all, while he was courageous in promoting programmes that enhanced the welfare of the people. These are the qualities we should imbibe.”

  • Is Ekweremadu losing relevance in PDP?

    The dust over the choice of Peter Obi as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, is yet to settle. Having failed to honour its one and a half years promise to concede the vice presidential slot to the Deputy President of the Senate(DSP), Ike Ekweremadu, both the party and Alhaji Atiku are not done with the number two man in the upper chamber. Apart from sidelining Sen Ekweremadu in the Presidential Campaign Council of the party, the DSP suffered another blow when he was only invited to the PDP-Atiku session with Igbo leaders via a text message late on Tuesday by ex-governor Gbenga Daniel, who was the Director-General of the disbanded Atiku Campaign Organization. The belated invitation was premeditated, Sentry learnt, because Sen Ekweremadu’s camp got wind of the session more than a week before. And with a strong political base, the spurned senator hit back by staying away tactically from the meeting in Enugu where Ben Nwabueze, a law professor, dissolved into lachrymose excesses.

    Sentry also learnt that the party and Alhaji Atiku’s loyalists have not forgiven the senator for rejecting Mr Obi. They are also up in arms against the senator over the revolt of the Southeast governors against the selection of Mr Obi. The arrowhead of the revolt, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, also received a watered-down text message inviting him to the Enugu meeting.

  • Alleged assassination attempt: I’m still committed to public good, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu declared yesterday that he was committed to public good and would continue to serve the country to the best of his abilities.

    He stated that Nigeria would be better going forward and that the people would enjoy the dividends of democracy as part of the commitment they have shown towards sustaining the unity, peace and development of the country.

    Ekweremadu, who spoke on arrival at the Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu, where he was received by constituents who had thronged the place in show of solidarity for his recent travails, urged the people to continue to pray for the unity and survival of the country.

    Although he declined to narrate his experience in the hands of the alleged assassins who visited his Abuja home on the guise that the matter was under “investigation”, he said that the concerns shown by Nigerians since the incident had energised him.

    He said: “I will like to assure that I will continue to serve you, and every day, I will serve you even much better.

    “I am committed to public good, to the good of all Nigerians, to the safety of all Nigerians and to good governance of this country.

    “So, for all of us, this is the beginning of our journey. I will get there ultimately.

    “Nigeria will be better, Nigeria will be safer and we are going to enjoy the dividends of democracy and good governance.”

    He told the Constituents that their visit was the tonic he needed to trudge on and expressed appreciation to governors of the Southeast region, leadership of the National Assembly, former President Goodluck Jonathan, among others, for their show of solidarity.

    The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu State, Alex Ogbonna, said they gathered to show solidarity to him and to announce to the world that persecutions against Ekweremadu would continue to fail.

    He recalled previous incidents in which the Deputy Senate President had come under severe threat, pointing out that nobody should continue to regard the country as democratic with such actions.

    “It is unacceptable. It is undemocratic. The idea that they invaded and they are telling us ordinary burglary activity is not acceptable, more so when at the point the incident happened, all the security apparati in his home, none was seen to be in action.

    “All these are targeted at the Igbo. We reject it.

    “We want to tell the world that should anything happen to Senator Ekweremadu, the whole Nigeria will cease to exist.”

     

  • Judge declines request to order Ekweremadu’s arrest

    Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja has rejected a request by the Federal Government for the issuance of a bench warrant on Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is accused of failing to declare his assets.

    Ekweremadu is accused in a two-count charge filed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) of refusing to declare his assets.

    He is said to have refused “without reasonable excuse, upon the notice to declare his assets in the manner prescribed by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property”.

    Yesterday, lawyer for the prosecution, Celsus Ukpong, told the court that Ekweremadu has consistently refused to attend court despite being served with the charge filed on May 11, this year.

    Ukpong added that Ekweremadu has also shunned the court despite being served with the court summons for his arraignment yesterday.

    The lawyer said: “He Ekweremadu decided not to obey the summons. We therefore apply for a bench warrant to be issued against him.”

    Ekweremadu’s lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), however, urged the court to disregard Ukpong’s application for a bench warrant on his client.

    Awomolo said Ekweremadu had, on November 1, 2018, challenged the competence of the charge and the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case through an application of objection.

    He urged the court to first resolve the challenge to its jurisdiction and the competence of the charge before attending to the charge. He cited some authorities, including a recent decision by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which explained the powers of the SPIP.

    Awomolo said: “On November 5, 2018, the Court of Appeal delivered a judgment to the effect that the panel (SPIP) has no prosecutorial powers.” He noted that with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the panel should have “honourably withdrawn the charge”.

    He later handed a copy of the judgment to Justice Nyako, following which the judge directed Awomolo to give a copy of the judgment to Ukpong, who claimed not to be aware of the decision by the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

    The judge said it was premature for the prosecution to request the court to issue a bench warrant against the defendant.

    She said it was until the motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction and the issues concerning the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal were resolved, before the court could consider the issue of whether or not a bench warrant should be issued.

    The judge adjourned further consideration of the case to February 26 next year.