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Tag: Gulak

  • Scores killed as Boko Haram attacks Madagali again

    Many people are feared dead after Boko Haram insurgents attacked four communities in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    The insurgents invaded Madagali town, Gulak, Magar and Shuwa on Tuesday evening, killing and destroying properties before they were overpowered by soldiers who forced them to retreat.

    The Tuesday attack on Madagali was the third in nine days, after an attack on February 4 when three residents lost their lives and another on February 11 when a village head and a soldier were killed.

    The current attack forced many residents out of Madagali, including one Ruth Gauje, who fled to the state capital, Yola.

    She told our correspondent on Wednesday evening that at least one person died in Shuwa where she came from.

    “They killed Friday, a popular young man in our place,” she said.

    She also said a community leader in Madagali identified as Bulama and several other people died in the town.

    Some other sources, however, said most of the invading insurgents were killed unlike when they first launched attack on the Madagali LGA on February 4 and 11.

    Civilian and military sources in Madagali insisted the soldiers overpowered the insurgents after some exchanges of gunfire.

    Read Also; One soldier, two others killed as Boko Haram ambushes Shettima’s convoy

    The soldiers were said to have killed an unspecified number and seized weapons and vehicles of the terrorists.

    “Sounds of gunshots and heavy blasts rented the air as the battle between the soldiers and Boko Haram insurgents reigned, forcing the insurgents out into surrounding mountains and bushes,” a source said.

    The Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Othman Abubakar, confirmed the killing and repelling of the Boko Haram insurgents but couldn’t confirm casualties.

    He told our correspondent a combined team of security personnel succeeded in decimating the Boko Haram insurgents.

    He, however, stated he had no information on the fatality among residents.

  • Army repels Boko Haram attack on Gulak

    Army repels Boko Haram attack on Gulak

    •Residents return home

    Normalcy is gradually returning to Gulak, headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, as the military repelled a Monday night attack on the town.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the insurgents, about 7pm, engaged the military in a gun battle as they attempted to enter the town.

    The Councillor representing Gulak Ward, Mohammed Abubakar, said residents who escaped to the bush and mountains are now returning.

    “I am on my way back home; just about 49 kilometres to Gulak, but I have spoken to my wife in Gulak, and she said the family is back home, with the return of normalcy,” Abubakar said.

    Commissioner of Information and Strategy Ahmad Sajoh said reports from the area showed that the attack was successfully repelled by the military and other security operatives, including local hunters and vigilantes.

    “I have spoken to the council chairman, and he said people have returned, including the district head and other personalities.

    “As for casualty, we are yet to ascertain the level of destruction, death and the injured,” Sajoh said.

    He added that the government would send a delegation to assess the situation.

    Chairman of the council Yusuf Mohammed refused to give the number of casualties, but said the insurgents suffered heavy casualty.

    “I also know of the death of two women, a 70-year-old and a 30-year-old, hit by stray bullets while trying to escape,” Mohammed said.

     

  • Normalcy returns to Gulak, as Army repels Boko Haram attack

    Normalcy returns to Gulak, as Army repels Boko Haram attack

    Normalcy is gradually returning to Gulak, headquarters of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa as military repelled Monday night attempt by Boko Haram insurgents to invade the town.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the insurgents had at about 7:00 pm engaged the military in several hours’ battle as they attempted to enter the town.

    Speaking to NAN on the development, the Councillor representing Gulak Ward, Mohammed Abubakar said residents who escaped to the bush and mountain were now trooping back home.

    “I am not in the town, but I am now on my way back home; just about 49 kilometres to Gulak, but I have spoken to my wife in Gulak who said the family is back home with the return of normalcy,” Abubakar said.

    Also, the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, said reports from the area indicated the the attack was successfully repelled by the military and other security operatives including hunters and vigilantes.

    “I have spoken to the chairman of the council who also told me that people have returned including the district head and other personalities.

    “As for casualty, we are yet to ascertain the level of destruction, death and injured,” Sajoh said, adding that government would send a delegation to assess the situation.

    Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed also declined to give the number of casualties, but said the insurgents had suffered heavy casualty.

    “I also know of the death of two women, a 70-year-old and a 30-year-old, hit by stray bullets while trying to escape,” Mohammed said.

    Read Also: That UN Boko Haram Hoax

  • PDP: Gulak and the signs of things to come

    PDP: Gulak and the signs of things to come

    The worst is not over yet for the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) as its chieftains continue the seemingly endless battle for the control of the troubled party. And if what happened at the national secretariat last Wednesday is anything to go by, the party is indeed bedeviled.

    Former Political Adviser to former President Goodkuck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, had stormed the secretariat with his supporters and installed himself the national chairman of the party.

    Ably supported by the likes of former Senior Special Adviser, Public Affairs, to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Gulak moved to the National Working Committee (NWC) Conference Hall, to address journalists, using the chair of the National Chairman.

    He said a high court had thrown out an application by the PDP and the Acting National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, which sought to stop a previous ruling demanding that Secondus vacates office within 14 days.

    What is left to be seen is how the Secondus-led leadership of the party will unseat Gulak after the palace coup.

  • I remain party chairman, says Gulak

    I remain party chairman, says Gulak

    Former Presidential Political Adviser Alhaji Ahmed Gulak has shunned a directive by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors asking the party’s National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, to take over as national chairman.

    The governors ordered the Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, to hand over to Oladipo, following Wednesday’s invasion of the party’s secretariat by Gulak, who declared himself chairman.

    In a reaction to the governors’ directive, contained in a statement yesterday, Gulak said the governors were misadvised in asking Oladipo to take over the leadership of the party.

    “This is not only contrary to the Constitution of the PDP, 2012 as amended, it is in flagrant contempt of the judgment given by the FCT High Court on December 16, 2015, which states ‘that under Section 47 (6) of the 1st defendant’s (PDP) constitution, upon the resignation of the former national chairman of the 1st defendant (PDP) from office, only the plaintiff (Alhaji Ahmed Ali Gulak) or any other eligible member of the 1st defendant (PDP) from the Northeast, where the chairman of the 1st defendant (PDP) originated, is eligible to be appointed to act in that office pending elections into that office,” the statement said.

    Gulak added that the party’s national secretary was precluded by the constitution of our party from chairing the National Executive Committee (NEC), the National Working Committee (NWC) and the caucuses of the party.

    He maintained that it “is only the national chairman that can chair these organs”.

    “It is, therefore, clear that from the statement of the chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum that the Office of the National Chairman was vacant. And this has been cured by the pronouncement of the FCT High Court, Abuja.

    “The national chairman appeals to our members nationwide to remain calm and rally round this new leadership so that peace may reign in our party and together we will reposition our party on the path of glory.

    “The national chairman of PDP has profound respect for the chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum and its members,” the statement added.

  • Crisis in PDP as Gulak ‘takes over’

    Crisis in PDP as Gulak ‘takes over’

    There was tension yesterday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat as Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, a former political adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, declared himself the national chairman.

    Gulak, who arrived at the secretariat at about 1.45 pm, was accompanied by a horde of supporters, including former presidential spokesman Dr. Doyin Okupe.

    Apparently with the knowledge of the invasion by Gulak and his group, members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) stayed away from the secretariat after locking up their offices and major conference rooms.

    Speaking to reporters on his mission, Gulak said he came to assume office as national chairman on the strength of a December 16 High Court judgment voiding the appointment of Prince Uche Secondus as acting national chairman.

    According to him, a stay of execution of the judgment filed by Secondus was struck out yesterday by the court where the application was filed.

    Secondus was appointed acting chair following the resignation of the party’s chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, on May 20, last year.

    Gulak had challenged the choice of Secondus in court. The court ordered Secondus to vacate the position within 14 days. The 14 days lapsed last December 29.

    Gulak said: “At the expiration of 14 days, the defendants failed, refused or neglected to obey the court orders to appoint me or any other person from the Northeast zone.

    “By the operations of the law and the court order, I now assume duty as the National Chairman of our great party; especially as the court has today struck out the motion for stay of execution.

    “Based on our sincere commitment and loyalty to our great party, we cannot continue to leave our party headless. Failure to assume duty as the national chairman will leave our party organs, especially the NWC, the NEC and the National Caucus, improperly constituted as every meeting of these groups must, in accordance with our constitution, be chaired by the National Chairman.

    He added: “This struggle is not about me but about our great party, which must be repositioned for the task ahead. We must give back the party to the people who must at all times decide the way forward.

    “My assumption of office is to prepare the ground for the NEC of the party to meet and take the most appropriate decisions for our party.

    “This should not be seen as a contention against anybody or group of persons. I crave the indulgence of the other NWC members to partner positively with me in our efforts to pick up the pieces and rebuild our party.”

    But other members of the party’s NWC deplored Gulak’s action, describing him as a fifth columnist sponsored by enemies of the PDP to tear the party apart.

    Addressing reporters at a different location shortly after the invasion, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwom, said the judgment did not pronounce Gulak as chairman.

    According to him, Secondus and the party appealed the judgment and the appeal is pending. He added that there was no fact to support Gulak’s claim that a stay of execution on the judgment had been struck out.

    Kwom said:”Contrary to Gulak’s claims, we did not receive any court document striking out the stay of execution. As a matter of fact, the court did not sit to hear the application, let alone strike out the matter.

    “Besides, we have an appeal against the judgment pending before the Court of Appeal. The truth is that Section 47(6) of our party constitution did not prescribe time limit for the tenure of an Acting Chairman”.

    According to Kwom, Gulak’s action constituted anti-party activity because the various organs of the party were still in consultation, with the view to picking an agreeable person as national chairman.

    On why it took the PDP this long to appoint a replacement from the Northeast zone since Mu’azu’s resignation in May, last year, Kwom said the party had been bugged down by a series of time consuming activities.

    He cited the recent governorship primary elections and elections proper in Kogi and Bayelsa states as events that delayed the appointment of a substantive national chairman.

    He said the various party organs had already directed the six states in the Northeast to come up with three candidates from which the party would choose one as national chairman.

    “We have initiated that move and we are about finanlising the process through which a new chairmen of Northeastern extraction is expected to emerge after due consultations among the six states in the Northeast.

    “The appointment will be made very soon and if Gulak is interested in the position, let him get the endorsement of the various organs and caucuses of the party because the court did not proclaim him the national chairman,” Kwom added.

  • Gulak to PDP: elect new party chairman

    Gulak to PDP: elect new party chairman

    Former Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters Mr. Ahmed Gulak has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) to elect a substantive party chairman.

    Gulak, at a news conference in Abuja, reminded members of the party of the court ruling, restraining former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP Uche Secondus from parading himself as the party’s acting national chairman.

    He said the PDP lacked genuine leader as there was no legally recognised chairman that would pilot its affairs.

    A verdict by Justice Hussein Baba of the High Court, Federal Capital Territory, ordered Secondus to vacate PDP chairmanship seat within 14 days.

    The court order followed a suit filed by Gulak, where it was ruled that Secondus assumed headship of the party through an illegitimate process.

    However, Gulak said he should be elected as the new party chairman or any other eligible person from the Northeast Zone to assume the party’s leadership position and begin its rebranding and repositioning.

    He said: “It is necessary for me to let the fact of my matter with PDP known to all PDP members across the country.

    “On December 16, 2015, consequent upon the suit I filed against Uche Secondus, the then acting chairman of the PDP, the court gave judgment, declaring the continuous existence of Uche Secondus as chairman was null and void and ordered a perpetual injunction against him parading himself as acting chairman.

    “The court gave 14 days, within which the party should either appoint me or any other person from the Northeast geo-political zone as the acting chairman.

    “Fourteen days from the date of judgment expired on the December, 29, 2015. As it is today, the party has no properly constituted organ. The National Executive Committee, National Working Committee and the national caucus, which by the constitution of our party must at all times, every time be chaired by a national chairman or acting chairman.”

    According to him, “As it is today, we don’t have national chairman or acting chairman by the court order and as such, the organs of the party are not properly constituted in view of the constitution provisions.

    “Again, the BOT whose acting chairman tenure has expired since August is also not properly constituted. I call all the BOT members of our party to attend the 14th January meeting and let them elect among them their chairman so that at least, one of our important organs can be properly constituted.

    “As such, I call on all party members to be calm and all our BoT members to wake up to the call and immediately elect among them a chairman that the conscience of this party is properly constituted. As a chairman, chart the way forward in rebranding and repositioning of our party.”

    Gulak insisted he would seek every legal means to ensure the rule of law prevail on the party chairmanship.

     

  • Drama as PDP, Gulak disagree over Mu’azu’s replacement

    The aspiration by some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to vie for the national chairmanship of the party, has suffered a setback with a declaration by the leadership of the party that the position is not vacant.

    The position is being occupied in acting capacity by the party’s National Deputy Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus following the forced resignation in May of the substantive chair, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.

    A mild drama played out yesterday as Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, an erstwhile Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, stormed the party’s Abuja secretariat to register his intention to vie for the chairmanship position.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after meeting with some of the party leaders, Gulak said the three months that the party’s constitution allowed Secondus to act as chairman had expired and that there was need to choose a substantive chair for the party.

    Gulak said, “I came to inform the National Working Committee (NWC) of my intention to contest the chairmanship of the party for the purpose of rebuilding, rebranding and renovating the party.

    “Going by the PDP constitution, the position is vacant because the three months allowed for anyone to act as chairman had elapsed and the party constitution stipulates that the replacement must come from the same Northeast zone as the erstwhile substantive chair.

    “The PDP cannot continue in the illegality of continuing with Acting Chairman because the three months stipulated by the party’s constitution had elapsed.

    “So it is time for the NWC to convene the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for the party to call for nominations to fill the vacancy. We have had enough of impunity”.

    But the leadership of the party could hardly wait for Gulak to leave the party secretariat before declaring that the position is not vacant.

    At a joint briefing by the National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo and National Legal Adviser, Mr. Victor Kwom, the party leaders countered that the party constitution did not stipulate time limit for an acting chairman.

    According to them, the party was waiting for the report of the Post Election Review and Assessment Committee, headed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu.

    Oladipo said, “The position of chairman is not vacant because there is an acting chairman in place. We cannot call a NEC meeting until we have received the report of the Ekweremadu led committee.

    “We are not afraid or reluctant to call NEC meeting. We can’t call NEC meeting just for the sake of it. The fact is that we have just lost election and we need to re-examine our structures to know where we got it wrong”.

    Kwom also dismissed the claims by Gulak that Secondus’ tenure as acting chairman had expired, saying the party constitution did not stipulate a time limit.

    Kwom said, “Section 45(2) of the party constitution allows the acting chairman to continue in office till NEC in its wisdom decides to appoint a replacement.

    “Section 47(6) that empowers NEC to appoint a replacement also did not give a time limit within which a person can act as chairman”.

     

  • Adamawa: Ribadu, Fintiri, Tukur, others beat PDP deadline

    Adamawa: Ribadu, Fintiri, Tukur, others beat PDP deadline

    It was a flurry of activities at the Abuja national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday, as 12 of the party’s 14 governorship aspirants scrambled to return their nomination forms to beat the deadline.

    The aspirants, who took turns to speak with reporters after submitting their forms, described the contest as “serious business,” saying they were not leaving anything to chance.

    Adamawa Acting Governor, Umaru Fintiri, insisted that the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is not a threat to his aspiration.

    Fintiri said rather, Ribadu should be the one to be afraid of him. “I am the one that is a threat to Ribadu. Why should I be afraid of Ribadu when he does not have a structure and support base.

    “I am the leader of the rescue team in Adamawa because I have been laying the foundation for good governance, equity and fairness since I assumed office as Acting Governor,” Fintiri stated.

    Ribadu on his part, said he has been working hard for the party’s ticket, saying his last minute defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP would not affect his chances.

    He said: “I am prepared to serve the people at any level I find myself, even if I am called upon to serve as a street sweeper. I am working hard to win the party’s ticket. You should get it right that I am not new in partisan politics.”

    Also at the secretariat was the son of the immediate past national chairman of the PDP, Auwal Tukur, who came with a large number of supporters on his entourage.

    In an apparent reference to Ribadu, Tukur decried what he called a situation where a stranger would join the PDP at the eleventh hour and expect to get leverage over older members of the party.

    “A situation like this kills the initiative of existing members who have worked hard for the progress and development of the party over the years. It is not fair and such things should not be encouraged in the party,” Tukur said.

    Shortly after returning his form, former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Mohammed Modibbo, challenged other aspirants to test their popularity at the grassroots instead of seeking undue leverage from the powers that be.

    Former Lagos State military administrator, Buba Marwa and former Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak, had submitted their forms on Friday.

  • Jonathan’s grouse with Gulak

    It is no longer secret that the former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, who stoutly defended President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration’s actions and policies, was unceremoniously relieved of his appointment on April 29.

    He has been replaced by the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Rufai Alkali.

    Before the new appointment, Alkali who is a political scientist from Gombe State was, last year appointed Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna.

    But what was not very clear till Wednesday last week was the reason or reasons for terminating the appointment of the ever-vocal Gulak.

    During his tenure as Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Gulak stepped on many toes in defence of the Goodluck administration.

    No reason was given for the termination of Gulak’s appointment in the statement issued in April by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati in which he announced the decision of the government.

    The statement read: “President Goodluck Jonathan has terminated the appointment of his Special Adviser (Political), Alhaji Ahmed Gulak with immediate effect.

    “President Jonathan thanks Alhaji Gulak for his services to the present Administration and wishes him success in his future endeavours.

    “A replacement for Alhaji Gulak will be announced in due course.”

    Since the termination of Gulak’s appointment, no reference or reasons have been officially given for the action.

    President Jonathan, while administering oath of office on Alkali before Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday last week, gave an idea of what might have led to Gulak’s sack.

    As a ‘simple’ man, Jonathan must have detested Gulak’s outspokenness and seemingly immaturity in handling issues while he held sway as the Special Adviser on Political Matters.

    Jonathan didn’t hide his feelings on Wednesday when he made it very clear that he needed a mature person on the position who will think twice before making any utterance.

    Jonathan said to Alkali: “You are very mature person and I believe that in your conduct, your utterances, your actions and inactions, you will portray a good character; a character that politicians and young people will use as role models.

    “I congratulate you on your appointment. I know you will not betray the confidence reposed in you by disappointing not just me, but all Nigerians.

    “As the Political Adviser, you are like the Group Managing Director to Mr. President on political issues.”

    Recalling Alkali’s role in the past, Jonathan said: “You are not new; you took us round the whole country during our 2011 campaigns. So, you are already a well-known person. You have worked as a member of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    “Your appointment is vital because you are the Chief spokesperson of the President on political issues. When one listens to some of the comments that we politicians make, they sometimes could be terrible and do not portray the character of good politics.

    “We are supposed to be nation-builders. Even though it is extremely difficult to agree that a politician could be a statesman because of our partisanship, at least in our utterances, we should give Nigerians hope that this country will be together and that we must unite and collectively develop our country.”

    What was very clear from Jonathan’s remarks was tutoring Alkali on how to go about the assignment.

    This must be good for Alkali as Gulak, who was busy attacking every perceived enemy of the government, didn’t know that he was also soiling his relationship with his master through his conduct and utterances.

    The cool-headed Alkali will, no doubt, find it easy to fit into the new assignment as directed by the President.