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Tag: IBB

  • No response to IBB’s statement for now, say APC

    No response to IBB’s statement for now, say APC

    The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the wise counsel of former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida not to seek reelection in 2019, but prepare to hand over to much younger person who can move the nation forward.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said it will only respond to the content of the letter if there is the need to do so after studying it.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi told The Nation on phone: “I don’t have any comment because I have not read the letter. After reading it and there is the need to respond to it, I will do that”.

    However, in a statement signed by its National secretary, Dr.James Okoroma, the ADP said history will be kind to the former President for speaking out against what he described as leadership failure of President Buhari.

    Okoroma said the former President was “clinical in his presentation by touching on the economy, pervasive insecurity, bloodletting across the country , devolution of powers, community Policing and restructuring.”

    “Babangida’s declaration that restructuring can no longer be wished away shows that there is hope for Nigeria. Those who thought that Buhari’s actions and segregation had the blessings of the entire North, can now heave a sigh of relief with a serious opposition coming from another Northern leader of Babangida’s status.”

    While aligning with the former President in appealing to President Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019, the ADP scribe said: “Babangida was one of those who fought to keep Nigeria one, he cannot keep quiet while Buhari destroys the country through divisive and nepotistic leadership. Today, we are losing our Country on a account of Buhari’s misrule which has set the Country backward.”

    “Babangida’s advice that the war against Boko Haram be taken to the inner recesses of Sambisa Forest should be hidden. 

    “Babangida spoke as a Patriot. He offered solution to every problem he identified in his statement. He has spoken as one of the Fathers of modern Nigeria. The issues he has raised should engage the attention of all Patriots.

    “History will be kind to IBB for speaking up against the leadership failure under President Muhammad Buhari. From all indications, the Buhari Government is a monumental failure and a disappointment to all Nigerians”.

    The Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM) in its reactionn said the position expressed by the former President is a tacit endorsement of its agenda to recruit, groom and position credible fresh breed successor Leaders for the 2019 elections

    NIM’s Deputy Director General, Mallam Naseer Kura commended what he described as IBB’s strategic intervention on the crisis of leadership and politics rocking Nigeria.

    He said NIM is also compelled by the dearth of real political parties in the country to facilitate a major Rainbow political platform, modeled after the ANC of South Africa, to undertake the grooming of its adopted candidates for the 2019 elections.

    Kura further asserted that “with this crucial endorsement of the third force initiative of NIM by IBB and other Eminent Leaders of the country, it means the time has come for fresh breed third force ideologues to rise up and take over the mantle of leadership to lead the country out of the present woods of political inertia and impunity, while also not shying away from NIM’s core agenda for profound democratic reordering of the Nigerian State come 2019”

  • IBB to Buhari: Dont contest for another term

    IBB to Buhari: Dont contest for another term

    Barely two weeks after a similar advice, ex-Military President, Ibrahim Babangida has asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.
    He urged Buhari to complete his first term and allow a new generation of leaders to take control of the affiars of the nation.
    Babangida gave the advice in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday through his media aide, Prince Kassim Afegbua.
    “In the fullness of our present realities, we need to cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari to complete his term of office on May 29th, 2019 and collectively prepare the way for new generation leaders to assume the mantle of leadership of the country.
    “While offering this advice, I speak as a stakeholder, former president, concerned Nigerian and a patriot who desires to see new paradigms in our shared commitment to get this country running. While saying this also, I do not intend to deny President Buhari his inalienable right to vote and be voted for, but there comes a time in the life of a nation, when personal ambition should not override national interest,” Bababgida stated.
    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo in a recent statement advised President Buhari against re-contesting for the presidency in 2019
    Details later
  • Killings: IBB, Oyedepo, Bakare demand action

    Killings: IBB, Oyedepo, Bakare demand action

    Pentecostal giants David Oyedepo and Tunde Bakare yesterday called on the Federal Government to stem the killings in the country.

    Former military President Ibrahim Babangida also demanded an end to the bloodshed.

    President Muhammadu Buhari will today meet with leaders of thought in Benue State, who will be led by Governor Samuel Ortom, at the Aso Villa.

    Benue has been grieving since January 1 when people were killed in an invasion by herdsmen.

    Seventy-three bodies were given a mass burial last Thursday in Makurdi, the state capital.

    The meeting is expected to tackle the menace and expected to also bring up the issue of states arming militia.

    President Buhari met last night with Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara over security.

    The presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, otherwise known as Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has warned the Federal Government to halt the killing spree by herdsmen or risk the country’s disintegration.

    He likened the attacks to a time bomb and warned politicians not to “sell off the destinies of men for your ambitions”.

    Dr. Oyedepo said God revealed to him 26 years ago that this crisis would put the country “on a keg of gunpowder” if the government failed to act.

    He gave the warning yesterday  in a message titled “A wakeup call to a nation in a state of slumber”.

    He said: “Prophets have a duty to warn people, nations against impending danger.

    “I have this wake-up call for a nation in a state of slumber. Insurgency is spreading across the country under the guise of Fulani herdsmen. Danger is looming.

    “How many of these killers have been brought to book since their campaign of carnage, death and destruction began?”

    Oyedepo warned that a nationwide crisis, “worse than anyone around knows”, might be imminent.

    He said: “Where are the leaders of thought in Nigeria? Where is the government and this is continuing unabated? We are sitting on a keg of gun powder. There is a volatile reaction coming and God revealed this to me as far back as 1992, clearly written in my diary.”

    But, prophesying that “Nigeria shall not be destroyed,” Oyedepo called on God to “trouble all that trouble the peace and progress of this nation”.

    According to him, Nigeria’s destiny has never been under a worse threat of survival.

    He said: “People may soon be forced to take the law into their hands. The security apparatus of the country has obviously failed to defend the property and lives of these poor farmers.

    “While we are claiming to be curtailing Boko Haram, we are on the other hand aiding and abetting herdsmen and their murderous acts.

    “Nigeria is a nation at war with ourselves.  No external aggression from aggressors, no ethnic crisis, no natural disaster, yet we are doing mass burial. What a nation in a state of slumber.

    “Hear the voice of God through this prophet, the soul of Nigeria is near the point of death.”

    Oyedepo warned that the attacks might push every community to set up its own security system to defend itself against “the insurgency”.

    He said: “When citizens cannot trust the security system, a state of anarchy is in view. Insurrection may also be on the way. These largely unchecked activities of the Fulani herdsmen may eventually choke the soul of Nigeria to death, God forbid.”

    The Bishop challenged the government to probe how the killers escape and how they are able to secure funds to buy AK47 rifles which, according to him, cost N3million apiece.

    “They must have the backing of some powers that be. Any right thinking Nigerian will speculate same,” he said.

    As the Bishop spoke, the congregation applaud. When he said there would be no war, there was a thunderous “amen”. Many stop up to pray as the congregation was directed to pray against “those troubling Nigeria”.

     

  • Fed Govt votes N280m as car allowances for Obasanjo, Gowon, IBB, Jonathan, others

    Fed Govt votes N280m as car allowances for Obasanjo, Gowon, IBB, Jonathan, others

    Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Goodluck Jonathan, Generals Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Abubakar Abdulsalam and Chief Ernest Shonekan have been paid N40 million as monetisation. The money is part of a proposed N280 million for vehicle procurement, documents from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation have shown.

    The allocation, which was meant for the 2017 fiscal year, was in the documents showing procurements totaling N2.492 billion in the 2017 capital expenditure and earmarked for seven former Presidents and Heads of State.

    For this year, N2.492 billion capital expenditure is proposed, according to the report submitted  by the SGF during the 2017/2018 budget defence session held by the Hon. Husseini Suleiman Kanagiwa-headed House Committee on Governmental Affairs.

    The N240 million balance for the procurement of vehicles remains outstanding and is meant to be cash-backed before the budget year runs out in March. An additional  N96 million is proposed for procurement of vehicles in the 2018 budget estimates.

    About N120 million was proposed for purchase of vehicles for former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo and the late Alex Ekwueme and had been released in 2017.

    Mustapha also told the lawmakers that N65 million was earmarked for building a website in the 2018 estimates.

    The committee members were not happy with some aspects of the presentation, especially the proposed N18.360 million for purchase of 27 laptop computer (Mac Book) in 2018; N,995,190,118 for purchase of security equipment.

    Also, the N64 million for purchase of monitoring trucks also got a knock, as well as the N316 million for purchase of motor vehicles; N124 million for four of 18-seater buses and two 30-seater buses.

    Estimates in the document show that N130 million was also proposed for procurement of two Land Cruiser Prado Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs); N65.551 million for ambulance and clinic equipment while N170 million was proposed for Independence/Democracy Day celebrations same as in 2017.

    The SGF told the lawmakers that the Mac Book computers were meant for Council Chamber because of the high volume of work they do.

    Other proposed expenditures for 2018 include: N1.734 billion for political officers and standing committee; N760.277 million honorarium and sitting allowance; N133.421 million for welfare packages.

    Similarly, N88.65 million is for the purchase of office furniture and fittings; N18.36 million for purchase of computers and N456.64 million for computer software acquisition while N106.834 is for cleaning & fumigation services for the SGF headquarters.

    N116.64 million is meant for support/maintenance of e-Council document management; N60 million for upgrade and turn around maintenance of Council Chambers Conference system; N30 million radio frequency identification device system (RFIC); N35 million for expansion of local area network/OSGF website upgrade and N40 million for socio-economic impact studies challenges/solutions.

    However, the 2017 budget document showed that out of the total sum of N20.800 million proposed for the 52No of Mac Book procured in 2017, the sum of N20.790 million (99.52%) has been released while from the total sum of N170 million proposed for Independence/Democracy Day celebration, the sum of N138 million was released.

    From the sum of N35 million proposed for 1 Xerox D125 Heavy Duty Photocopy Machine to enhance timely production of Council memoranda, the sum of N34,938,750 was released (99.83%) leaving a balance of N61,250 only.

    Also, out of the total sum of N55 million proposed for upgrading and turn around maintenance of Council Chambers System, the sum of N54,400,500 has been released leaving the balance of N599,500 only (98.91%).

  • Governors draw battle line with IBB, Jonathan

    Governors draw battle line with IBB, Jonathan

    With few hours left to conduct the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governors elected on the platform of the party were were adamant yesterday on their choice of Prince Uche Secondus as its next national chairman.

    The governors, who were being coordinated by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, insisted that Secondus was a party man with the qualities needed to lead the PDP.

    Their insistence contradicted the position of former military president Ibrahim Babangida; ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, founders of the party and some members of the Board of Trustees led by Prof. Jerry Gana, who wanted the slot for the South-West.

    Babangida and the PDP founders might however lose to the governors’ camp because at press time, they had not agreed on a candidate to back from the South-West.

    Instead, some loyalists of the former military president have pitched their tents with High Chief Raymond Dokpesi who may not go far because the bloc votes from the South-South and South-East might be for Secondus.

    The position of the governors has caused unease in the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who is billed to address the convention today.

    Investigation conducted by our correspondent revealed that the number of aspirants for the coveted seat had reduced from nine to seven as two of the candidates, namely former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George, and a former governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, quit the race yesterday.

    Other aspirants seeking votes from the party’s delegates today include a former Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; a former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; a former Minister of Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja; a former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former Oyo State governor, Chief Rashidi Ladoja; a media mogul, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Aderemi Olusegun.

    Observers, however, believe that it will be a straight fight between Secondus(backed by governors) and any other candidate that may be supported by Babangida-led old brigades in PDP.

    A top party source said: “All is set for the convention with the intrigues bordering on the Unity List of the governors and the National List of Babangida, Jonathan and some members of the Board of Trustees of the party.

    “So far, the governors are adamant on Secondus, and they seem to have drawn the battle line with Babangida and others.

    “With the huge resources at their disposal, the governors may have their way.

    “The governor of Rivers State, who is the main backer of Secondus, has a war chest that can hardly be matched.

    “The real challenge with the camp of Babangida and others is that they have not zeroed in on a candidate as at Friday evening.

    “While the likes of Prof.Jerry Gana are for Adeniran, some loyalists of Babangida are routing for Dokpesi.

    “The case of Adeniran is compounded by the refusal of South-West candidates to concede the chairmanship slot to him.

    “The race can be tougher if the South-West has a common candidate to slug it out with Secondus and Dokpesi.”

    The likelihood of the governors taking over the party was already causing unease in Atiku’s camp last night.

    A party source said: “The implication of the likely emergence of Secondus is the fact that it might be difficult for Atiku to secure the presidential ticket of PDP unless he rejigs his permutations and realignment.

    “The governors have a different mindset on the presidential ticket of the party. They might not work for Atiku who will feel disappointed to have returned to the party.

    “Those in the camp of ex-VP are really jittery because the pendulum may not swing in their favour.”

    The foregoing notwithstanding, some of the candidates were still optimistic last night.

    The Media Adviser to Secondus, Mr. Ike Abonyi, was in an upbeat mood yesterday.

    He said: “Our candidate has no pact with anybody or group. Everything is working as planned.

    “The only thing we will fine-tune is the Unity List. The list will be sorted out overnight before we convene for the convention.

    “We are set. Everything is set. We are ready for the battle.”

    The Director of Media of Adeniran Campaign, Mr. Taiwo Akeju, said: “We are ready for the election. We are sure of victory. We have toured the 36 states of the country and our candidate is acceptable to all the six geo-political zones.

    “We are not intimidated by anybody. Go and ask, it is the status and political mileage of our candidate that are intimidating others.”

    On his part, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja said: “I am ready for the election. I have not stepped down for anybody. I have what it takes to lead the party. I am hopeful that our delegates will vote for me.”

    Meanwhile, the Northern delegates have asked the South-West to work towards the presentation of a candidate in order to checkmate the governors being coordinated by Governor Nyesom Wike.

    A Northern leader in PDP said: “The only way to stop the governors from hijacking the party is for the South-West to agree on a candidate. If they go to the battle divided, Secondus may have an easy ride.

    “Look at the situation now. None of the candidates from the South-West is ready to step down. Delegates will have to split their votes.”

    But for the second time in 24 hours, candidates from the South-West converged on the residence of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, to weigh the options on the bait from the North.

    The meeting was still in progress at the Ukpabi Asika Street residence of Ladoja in Asokoro District, Abuja at press time yesterday.

    Ladoja himself was said to have changed his mind yesterday after initially declaring his decision to quit the race.

    He told our correspondent in a telephone interview yesterday night that he had changed his earlier decision to withdraw from the race.

    A South-West delegate said: “The candidates from the South-West have met for the second time on how to close ranks and agree to step down for a candidate.

    “Once this is done, the South-South will have difficulty sticking to Secondus or Raymond Dokpesi because their candidates will be running against five other geopolitical zones.

    “Northern leaders have reached out to South-West candidates and they have asked them to step down for one of them in order to make the battle a straightforward one. This is a product of the Maradonic negotiations in the last 48 hours.

  • PDP convention: Jittery Atiku runs to IBB

    PDP convention: Jittery Atiku runs to IBB

    SCARED that governors may “hijack”  tomorrow’s  National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday rushed to former Military President  Ibrahim Babangida to join forces with other founders of the party to save the situation.

    The ex-Vice President, who has met with some of the governors, was suspecting that they might be working for another presidential aspirant.

    He believes once the governors take control of the party, he may be at their mercy.

    The ex-VP is insisting on a level-playing ground at the convention for the emergence of true leaders, who can conduct presidential primaries next year without prejudice.

    Former Delta State Governor James Ibori and some ex-governors have joined forces with Atiku to checkmate the PDP governors being coordinated by Governor Nyesom Wike

    For the umpteenth time, Babangida on Wednesday  warned the Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, and others against monetisation of the convention.

    He told Makarfi, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and others on Wednesday that if they installed a national chairman under such atmosphere,  PDP should forget  returning to power in 2019.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the real reason Atiku was in Minna yesterday was his anxiety over a plot by the governors to take over the party and dictate who gets what in 2019.

    A source said: “The ex-VP was in Minna. He does not want the governors to abort his dream to secure the presidential ticket of the party .

    “Although he has met with Wike, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu and some PDP governors, he is not comfortable with the plot by governors to hijack the structure of the party.

    “It is obvious that the governors have their agenda, including plans to foist on PDP a presidential candidate who will do their bidding. They have covert plans to stop Atiku from being PDP flag bearer in 2019.”

    According to the source, some of the governors are believed to be plotting to lure a Northern governor from the All Progressives Congress(APC)  into the opposition party and make him a presidential candidate.

    “This was why Atiku and his loyalists, including Ibori, have been jittery. Ibori and other ex-governors have been working hard to whittle down the influence of the governors to put in place a National Working Committee (NWC) which will be sympathetic to Atiku’s presidential ambition,” the source said, adding:

    “Without getting it right at the convention, Atiku will be left in the lurch. It is really a battle of survival for him. Babangida and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan have been working hard to assist Atiku by putting a supportive National Working Committee(NWC) in place.”

    Babangida on Wednesday  told Makarfi, Okowa and other members of the National Convention Planning Committee that “it will be counter-productive for PDP after the convention if they install a money-induced National Chairman,” a source privy to the meeting said.

    He advised Makarfi and his team to “give a sense of belonging to all candidates and elect a chairman who has a national outlook”.

    He was said to have added a caveat: “Install a monetised National Chairman, forget PDP’s return to power in 2019.”

    But Makarfi said they were in Minna to “brief Babangida about the preparation for the National Convention and to reassure him of a level-playing field for all.

    “We have no preference for any candidate because we want the party to remain stronger and  peaceful after the convention”, Makarfi added.

    Babangida is believed to have sent emissaries to Wike to prevail on him to have “a rethink on Prince Uche Secondus” as national chairman.

    One of the emissaries who met Wike is a former National Security Adviser Gen. Aliyu Gusau.

    All is not well in the Babangida-Jonathan camp following moves by some of their supporters to dump a former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, for either ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel or Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

    Another source said: “Sensing danger of another joker from Babangida’s camp, Wike and the PDP chairman in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih met with Dokpesi at the residence of a former national leader of the party, Chief Tony Anenih on Wednesday night to persuade the media mogul to step down.

    “The governors told Dokpesi to forgo his ambition because they don’t want him to be disgraced at the convention. They said they were hell-bent on Secondus because he helped eight out of 11 governors to secure the mandate of the PDP. They said it was payback time.

    “The meeting in Anenih’s house ended in deadlock.

    “Some governors later offered to write off campaign expenses of Dokpesi but the media mogul said ‘I am not in this race because of money.’ He said even if he will get a vote, he will contest for national chairman.”

    In a follow-up statement last night through his Media Adviser, Ide Eguabor, the AIT boss said: “It has come to my attention and that of the Raymond Dokpesi Campaign Organisation that speculations are rife  to the effect that our Principal Dr. Raymond Dokpesi has succumbed to political pressure and agreed to drop out of the race for the office of the national chairman of our great party.  Nothing can indeed be further from the truth.

    “Chief Dokpesi is not only a front runner but remains the aspirant to beat at the convention grounds on Saturday.

    “We urge teeming members and party delegates to disregard and ignore such cheap and diversionary antics aimed at causing I’ll wind in the PDP. Chief Dokpesi will not step down and those who wish so are advised to redirect their energies to campaigns that will benefit their aspirants rather dissipate positive energy in negative direction.

    “The national convention is the first effort by the PDP since inception at entrenching an internal democratic process that will lead  deepen our democracy.

    “Let him who is running behind in this race remain behind or run faster than the man in front. The impunity and imposition of the past has long gone out of fashion.

    “The delegates will  decide every contestant’s fate and  we should all agree to abide  by the convention decision. The  process must be free, fair and credible.

    There was a heavy deployment of cash by some stakeholders with each of the 2,800 delegates being promised N500,000 to do their bidding.

     

  • Atiku visits IBB in Minna

    Atiku visits IBB in Minna

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday had a two hours closed door meeting with General Ibrahim Babangida in Minna.

    The meeting, which started at 12.30pm, ended at 2.50 pm.

    Other people in the meeting include former Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, the state PDP Chairman Tanko Beji and other chieftains.

    Atiku arrived at the Minna International Airport by 12.10pm and arrived at Babangida’s Uphill residence by 12.30.

    Efforts to get the former Vice President to speak on the purpose of the meeting were unsuccessful as he declined speaking to journalists.

  • PDP governors plan ‘unity list’ to stop IBB, Jonathan

    PDP governors plan ‘unity list’ to stop IBB, Jonathan

    North’s delegates split over Secondus, Adeniran

    Atiku’s camp jittery

    To have a rancour-free convention and install the national chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors will compile a “unity list” of candidates who delegates will vote for, The Nation learnt last night.

    The list is said to be the governors’ joker to checkmate the influence of ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida and former President Goodluck Jonathan on delegates.

    The “unity list” may be out on Friday, about 24 hours to the December 9 convention.

    It was learnt that the North’s delegates had become divided over two candidates  – former Acting National Chairman Uche Secondus and  former Education Minister Prof. Tunde Adeniran.

    Before the split, Adeniran was having a clear edge in the North over Secondus whose campaign has changed the game.

    But the governors’ grip on the party has caused anxiety in the camp of ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar whose main backers are Babangida and Jonathan.

    The tension in Atiku’s camp is over the fear that if the governors seize the machinery of the party, they may determine its choice of a presidential candidate.

    Babangida  on Sunday  raised the alarm on huge deployment of cash to woo delegates.

    The governors have reached out to ex-governors, ex-ministers, National Assembly  caucuses and some members of the Board of Trustees (BoT).

    They are believed to have allayed the fears of stakeholders who think that they are out to hijack the party. Their mission, the governors are quoted as saying, is to change the old order.

    To carry all stakeholders along, the governors have chosen to consult and agree on a Unity List, which will be “representational”.

    A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “We want to have a stress-free elective national convention. We have been spending the past few days to build consensus on how to preserve the unity of the party.

    “As I talk to you, we are working on a “Unity List” which will accommodate all interests and make the convention great.

    “The list will also correct the perception of the loyalists of Babangida and Jonathan that we are out to destroy the party. This is our own way of checkmating the forces who have held the party hostage since 1998.

    “The speculations about use of money are unfounded. As a new generation of leaders in PDP, we know what is good for the party too. We won’t allow the imposition any pre-determined agenda on delegates.”

    Asked of who the governors will support for national chairman, the source, who pleaded not to be named for “strategic reasons”, added: “We are working on Secondus but the delegates will have the final say because we will allow a free and fair  process.”

    A member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) said: “Some of us are in agreement with the governors on the Unity List to douse the tension surrounding the convention.

    “I think the governors will release the Unity List on Friday. What is important is for peace and harmony to reign in our party.”

    Northern delegates are split over two Secondus and Adeniran.

    “Initially, the Northern delegates had agreed on block voting but things have changed in the last 72 hours.

    “Delegates from Plateau, Benue, Jigawa, Taraba, Gombe and Kano may not go ahead with block voting. The intrigues have been intense,” another source said, adding:

    “As it is now, Northern delegates cannot talk with one voice at the convention on Saturday.”

    It was gathered that the recourse to unity list  by governors has caused anxiety in Atiku’s camp because the method may whittle down the influence of Babangida and Jonathan who lured the ex-Vice President back into PDP.”

    A former governor said: “Once the governors take over PDP structure, it will be difficult for Babangida and Jonathan to impose Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

    “This is why Babangida and his loyalists have been jittery about the activities of the governors. Even Atiku is aware of the danger ahead because he knows the capacity of governors.

    “The same Atiku used the governors to hold ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to ransom in 2003 before the ex-President could get a second term ticket.”

     

  • IBB, Jonathan reject PDP governors choice for chair

    IBB, Jonathan reject PDP governors choice for chair

    Four governors may dump Secondus 

    Battle for 2019 deepens crisis

    There are moves to checkmate some Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) governors pushing to install the party’s chairman at Saturday’s convention, sources said at the weekend.

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike is leading the plan to put former Interim Chairman Uche Secondus on the much coveted seat.

    But former military President Ibrahim Babangida, some PDP  founding fathers, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) may have teamed up to block the governors whose ranks may have been broken.

    Four governors, including two from the Southeast,  may jettison the plan to make a former Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, the chairman, it was learnt at the weekend.

    A party source said: “We are set for a make or break convention between the old brigades, led by Gen. Babangida and Jonathan, and the governors.”

    With Gen. Babangida are founding fathers, like former Minister of Information  Prof. Jerry Gana, ex-PDP national chairmen, including Sen. Ahmadu Ali, members of the BoT, ex-ministers, ex-governors and former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu.

    The new brigade includes Wike, Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and state party chairmen “who want to put an end to godfatherism and hijack the structure of the party”.

    The source, who pleaded not to be named, went on: “The hidden plan of the two groups is the battle for the 2019 presidential ticket of the PDP. So far, it is apparent that the founding fathers and Jonathan are beholding to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, to whom they want to give the ticket

    “The governors seem to have a focus on another candidate either an ex-governor or a defector into the party. The game is tough because whoever controls the structure of the party may produce the PDP flagbearer for the 2019 presidential poll.

    “As it is now, the governors are in control of more delegates than the founding fathers who are scavenging for delegates. Even ex-President Goodluck Jonathan is not sure of the 50 per dent control of delegates from Bayelsa State.”

    A former member of the NWC said: “Gen. Babangida, Jonathan and others are determined to tame the governors. They have succeeded in breaking their ranks because four of the PDP governors may back out of their colleagues plans to install Secondus as the next chairman.

    “The governors have decided to abandon their colleagues following plea from Babangida and Jonathan.

    “But the governors have the resources to make it a battle to the finish. The old brigades depend on goodwill whereas delegates need lifeline because the party had been out of power for two and a half years.”

    “Babangida is crying out now because he has seen the handwriting on the wall that these governors are in charge. The founding fathers are banking on votes from the North to stop the governors from hijacking the party.

    The source said: “The situation is dicey. The party may end up in a deeper crisis because the chairman that will emerge might cause a split. Once we are in a crisis, 2019 presidential poll will be an easy ride for APC.”

    It was learnt that a former National Security Adviser Gen. Aliyu Gusau, has been the arrowhead of the outreach by PDP founding fathers to the governors to allow the chairman to come from Southwest. They are working for Prof. Tunde Adeniran.

    “Gen. Gusau has been trying to restore the ideals of PDP as espoused by Gen. Babangida and other founding fathers. But the governors may fight the old brigades to a standstill.”

  • IBB frightened by deployment of cash to ‘buy’ PDP chair

    IBB frightened by deployment of cash to ‘buy’ PDP chair

    Former military President Ibrahim Babangida yesterday warned against monetary inducement of delegates at Saturday’s Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Convention.

    He urged delegates to learn from the defeat of the party in the 2015 election.

    Babangida’s intervention has heightened the tempo of the intrigues ahead of the election of national chairman.

    Gen. Babangida, in a statement through his media adviser Prince Kassim Afegbua, said: “In the countdown to the convention; as founding fathers and stakeholders, we need to collectively assure Nigerians and our teeming members that we have indeed learnt our bitter lessons.

    “ Following the defeat of the party in the 2015 election, it is incumbent upon us as leaders and stakeholders to use the opportunity of the convention to soberly reflect on the challenges confronting us, identify our flaws and seek plausible ways to correct them in order to come out stronger in subsequent elections.

    “An elective convention presents, as it were, a rare opportunity and veritable platform to elect in a holistic manner a credible, tested, down-to-earth and truly urbane candidate with enough stamina, distinguished character and national acceptability who is driven by incurable optimism and passion for a united Nigeria.”

    Giving the attributes he felt the chairman should possess, Gen. Babangida said: “At this point of our political history as a party, we need a National Chairman who is driven by uncommon initiatives, creativity in ideas and a rich content of character to lead and stabilise the party in line with the laudable ideals of the founding fathers of the party.

    “Such an individual must possess national recognition to be able to galvanise political opportunities and transform them into tangible outcomes in our democratic engagements.

    “When we were conceptualising the idea of the PDP at formation, we had in mind a party that offers platform for all Nigerians in their pursuit of legitimate political aspirations.

    “ In any democratic engagement, the people decide the outcome of elections through popular and inclusive participation.

    “The monetisation of our electoral process is disturbingly eroding that power which should ordinarily reside in the people.

    “In the last few days, I get frightened by the monetary consideration that is likely to dictate who emerges as the National Chairman of our great party rather than what the people truly want. The discussion is more on the side of heavy monetisation of the process and ultimate ‘procurement’ of the position of the Chairman by the highest bidder.

    “This approach, in my humble view, defeats the whole essence of participation, free choice and voting which are the essential attributes of any democracy without inducement and outright manipulation. I wish to plead that we tread on the path of caution and common sense, conscious of our recent history of avoidable political crisis.

    “At 76, and given the benefit of hindsight, my role both in context and content; is now more of advisory one to enhance any altruistic democratic process to elect credible leadership at various levels of representation.

    “Rather than de-monetise the electoral process to provide ample room for more citizens’ participation, the idea of monetising the process and trying to ‘procure’ party positions defeats merit, offends good conscience and blurs fair play.”

    He reeled out his expectations from the convention and why PDP leaders should learn from the party’s dismal outing in 2015 general elections.

    The statement said: “At this critical stage of our political secretions, we need men of stature, discipline, character and commendable conduct to breathe fresh air into our party and not persons whose political relevance is the product of naira and kobo bargain across the counter.

    “We need a National Chairman that would not bend to the vagaries of individual selfish interest but one who is strong enough to apply the rule of law without fear or favour. We must begin the process of interrogating processes that lead to outcomes and not just the outcomes.

    “We must interrogate our leadership recruitment process and encourage our delegates to exercise the power of their thumbs in making their preferred choice among the candidates.

    “On the strength of this, I wish to make a passionate appeal to our members, party leaders and the members of the Convention Committee to be fair and just to all, and allow the process to produce a National Chairman that would truly represent the conscience of the party.

    “I do subscribe to the idea that consensus building, collective bargaining and constructive engagement are some of the ingredients that nurture any democratic process; such ingredients should be given enough room to flourish in order to birth credible and truly representative leadership.

    “Our party, the PDP, must re-invent and re-enact itself on account of her recent history of factions and fractures. The new leadership must therefore be one that enjoys the confidence of the majority stakeholders and members in order to have a seamless transition.

    “To achieve this template, such a chairman must be the outcome of delegates’ election without manipulation and inducement.

    “One would have thought that after the 2015 dismal outing, followed by months of leadership tussles, individuals would have put to rest their selfish and egocentric interest and pursue goals and objectives that bear true testimony to the ideals of the founding fathers; but the sound bites of monetization of the process are utterly demoralizing and benumbing.

    “It is my strong belief therefore that leaders of the party irrespective of their political interest would allow reason and level playing field to prevail in the overall interest of the party. I wish the party a successful and peaceful convention on Saturday 9th December, 2017.”