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Tag: Kawu Baraje

  • I’m returning to PDP – Baraje

    The former leader of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC) Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, said on Thursday he would return to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in few days time.

    Baraje said he would formally declare for PDP alongside few of his supporters in his ward in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    He spoke to journalists during the graduation ceremony of the Baraje Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Ilorin.

    He said: “If I tell you where I belong now, I am telling you because you asked me. But my formal declaration is coming up in few days time at my own ward. It is being arranged by my people.

    “That means where my leader goes is where you will find me. I belong to the party that has made me and a party that has given me in-road into the politics of this country. I belong to the PDP and I have gone to the PDP meeting at Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja two months ago. There I made a statement that went viral and I think that was very indicative of where I belong. In few days now you will hear I am in my ward declaring for PDP along with my supporters.”

    Speaking on Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s presidential ambition, Baraje added: “As a reminder Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has been trying his luck on being the president of this country since 2011. He withdrew for the then candidate Goodluck Jonathan. In 2015, he also withdrew for the present President Muhammadu Buhari. So for somebody who has been nursing that kind of ambition, is it not right for such person to come forward again?

    “This present president came forward for four times before clinching it. Did anybody ask whether he was right or wrong? Totally, I am in his support. Whatever Nigeria is looking for is in him and what we are looking for is only a candidate that will unite Nigeria. Because the current situation in the country, Nigeria is further divided and unless we get a candidate that will unite Nigeria, it is going to be a very serious jeopardy for this country.

     

  • PDP to Buhari, APC: ignore our request at your own risk

    Says We can’t be Intimidated

     

    The Kawu Baraje led new PDP that merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday told President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the party to ignore the letter containing their ultimatum for talks on the way forward at their own peril.

    The group said they were yet to receive any information from either the Presidency of the party in response to their letter, pointing out that they will be meeting in the next few days to decide on their next line of action which it said will be in the best interest of Nigeria and democracy in the country.

    The seven day ultimatum given by the group the party and President Muhammadu Buhari to invite them to a meeting elapsed on Tuesday without any positive response from the party as at the time of compiling this report.

    Spokesman of the group, Comrade Timi Frank who spoke with newsmen in Abuja while reacting to Monday’s counter letter to the leadership of the party by another group of ex-PDP leaders however however dismissed the Senator Abdullahi Adamu led Buhari Supporters in the group saying Nigerians should not take them serious as they were mere noise makers.

    Read Also: I won’t allow anybody to cheat Nigerians – Buhari

    Frank said they were not surprised at the decision of Senator Abdullahi Adamu and his group in opposing their letter to the party, saying the Senator was is known t9 have supported Abacha’s bid to succeed himself and former President Obasanjo’s third term bid.

    He dismissed the existence of a faction within the group saying over 95 percent of members of the group have given their leader, Alhaji Kawu Baraje the right to speak on their behalf, adding that Senator Abdullahi Adamu only joined them in the new PDP when it became obvious to him that they were meeting with the APC.

    He reminded the party that the same steps being taken to mend fences were taken by them while in the PDP, but were ignored, stressing that the singular mistake of ignoring them was responsible for the exit of the Jonathan government f and the coming into power of the APC.

    Frank said: “I want to use this opportunity to remind my party that this is same way we were trying to correct the wrongs of the Jonathan’s government while in the PDP, but they never listened to us. We told them why we were aggrieved. Our leaders moved round the states to talk to party members, to ask the government at that time to listen to our views, but at the end of the day, they refused, they ignored us, that is how we left.

    “When we left, we join the APC and that was how today, we are enjoying this so called change agenda we are talking about. So, if today, 95 per cent of us, who came from the new PDP are aggrieved and they felt they are going to undermine us, or they are going to ignore our group, so be it.

    “But at the end of the day, we believe we are going to take a decision that will benefit the Nigerian people because we believe that democracy should be all inclusive. Democracy should not be a situation where when you speak the truth, you will be harassed, you will be intimidated and so on.

    “Today, everyone that is being harassed within the APC, came from the new PDP. We have not seen anybody from the ACN or the CPC or the ANPP or the section of APGA that join us that is being intimidated or harassed. It is clear. So, we are not going to be intimidated.

    “We believe we are going to be doing the right thing. We believe we are going to do everything possible to rescue Nigeria the same way we rescued Nigeria from the PDP. So, if today, we decided to lay our complaints to the party and they feel it is not important for them to attend to our issues, we will leave them to God. God will someday judge.”

    While insisting that there was no faction within the group, Frank who is the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC said: “I am here to clarify issues and debunk some of the lies from some of our members led by Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, who were in my party secretariat yesterday to oppose the view of the majority, to oppose what our leaders have said. The chairman of our group, Alhaji Kawu Baraje was at the secretariat to submit a letter informing the party of our grievances as the new PDP that joined the merger that brought the APC into power.

    “In all of these, I want to make it very clear that we have no faction in our group. I saw in some of the papers that there is cracked in the new PDP. There is no crack as far as we are concerned. We only have one group, we have only one leader and that leader remains only Alh. Kawu Baraje and I can tell you clearly that without fear or favour.

    “I want to make it known to all of you that Alhaji Kawu Baraje is not alone in that letter. He has the mandate of over 95% of some of us that joined the new PDP into the APC that make new victories successful in 2015.”

    He emphasis that the participation of the new PDP in the affairs of the APC was responsible for the victory of the party in the 2015 general election saying “everybody knows that it was because of our participation to join the APC that practically brought the victory we are all enjoying today.

    “So, when people like Sen. Abdullahi Adamu who used to be one of us came up with some of his positions yesterday, he must have forgotten history and I want to make it known to you that whatever they’ve said to counter our move, are total lies.

    “Nigerians are there to testify. They said the new PDP group has benefitted massively from this government. That is one of their claims which is not true. But, I want to make it very clear that we are not here to respond to individuals, we are here to make it known that our letter is to the party. So, it is left for the party to either take it seriously or not. But I believe any serious party will take whatever position or decision we have brought them to look into.

    “Today makes it seven days from the day our group brought this letter to the party. But as it stands, we’ve not gotten any response yet from them. As we’ve said, whatever we must have said in that letter, it is not an empty threat. If they decide to ignore us, so, be it.

    “But at the appropriate time, we are going to respond and make our position known to Nigerians based on what we’ve said. It is not just a mere threat; it is not just a mere ultimatum. But I will tell you clearly that we are meeting with our leaders and we are going to come up with clear positions on our next step if finally they don’t attend to us.

    On the claim by the Senator Adamu led group that they have benefitted from the government, he said “I want go back to some of the benefits that they said our group has benefitted. The Senator and Jibrin said yesterday that we benefited by getting the office of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Some senators,  governors and so on.  For God’s sake, these are elected positions.

    “Nigerians are aware of how we succeed in getting the Senate President and the Speaker from the new PDP. They were not supported by our party, neither were they supported by the executive arm of government. We managed to get these two positions by the grace of God and by the support of Nigerian people.

    “We also got those positions through the support of senators and members of the House of Representatives that believed and had confidence in the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara and chose to stand by these two people because they believe these two people will take the party and Nigerians to the promise land.

    “So far so good, we are very happy with them, they’ve done very well despite challenges and the circumstances and hurdles they passed and they are still passing through till today.

    “So, nobody should give credit to neither the party nor anybody to say that they gave us anything from the new PDP. We fought to get these two positions and the senators, governors and others they talk about were elected from their various states.

    “They never got there based on the fact that the new PDP. They should be able to benefit from the APC because of their Labour because they contributed in bringing the change and government of today. Therefore, let’s reward them with these positions. So, this is not true.

    “The only two beneficiaries in our group is Rotimi Ameachi who finally became Minister of Transportation and Sen. Aisha Alhassan who is the minister for women affairs. These are the two people we can remember. So, I want to make it very clear that we are not going to be intimidated by anybody as long as the Nigerian people are happy with us.”

  • APC is on course, says Obasanjo

    APC is on course, says Obasanjo

    •Meets Buhari, Akande, Tinubu, APC governors

    •Proclaims self political father of all

    •We’re not wooing him, Tinubu explains mission to ex-president

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) got a rare endorsement yesterday from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He hailed the party as being on course in enhancing democracy in the country.

    He said, “As an opposition you are enhancing democracy, you are at home, you are welcome to being at home,” Chief Obasanjo told a high power delegation of the APC at a meeting at his Abeokuta residence, last night.

    On the APC train were the party’s national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, former military leader, General Muhammadu Buhari, APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) as well as the interim national publicity secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Senator Bukola Saraki, former Governor of Borno State, Alimodu Sheriff and Chief Bob Effiong.

    However, Obasanjo advised his guests to play “politics without rancour, without bitterness, with decency, that has Nigeria at heart.”

    He described himself as an ‘incurable optimist about Nigeria.’

    “I am totally committed to Nigeria and nothing will divert me from that commitment,” he said.

    He said he was honoured by the visit to “come and present your party and tell me the objectives. But let me start somewhere. I am a card carrying member of the PDP but the politics I play traverses Nigeria, Africa and world in that order. I am a democrat and one of the essential ingredients of democracy is opposition, a democracy that has no opposition built into it is not a democracy.

    “In whichever party for whatever office that a person contested or aspired in Nigeria since 1999 such a person young or old man or woman can claim to be my political child and I can claim to be by virtue of political office I have held I can also claim to be political father.”

    Chief Akande who led the visiting team said they were in Abeokuta to introduce APC, its leaders and governors among others to Obasanjo.

    Akande also said the party was in support of the 18 – page open letter the former president recently wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that he (Obasanjo) acted in the best interest of the country.

    Also speaking, Tinubu told their host: “You have come out of tribulation and held the highest position in this country. We are here because of your courage .Nobody can claim that he has information more than you. You have surmounted a number of crises.

    “Nigeria is divided (now), more than before, to realise a stable Nigeria we want to encourage you to continue to speak the truth. We’re resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria, we want you as navigator.”

    Governor Okorocha who spoke for the Progressives Governors said many of them passed through him politically and that the task to rescue Nigeria from its challenges is not only for the benefit of upcoming generations but also a task that must be accomplished.

    The APC delegation started arriving Obasanjo’s mansion on Segun Osoba Hill – Top at about 5.23pm when a convoy of three jeeps carrying Chief Femi Fani – Kayode and former anti – graft Czar, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, came in.

    They were followed at 5:50pm by a convoy of over a dozen vehicles including buses. In the convoy were most of the governors, Chief Akande and Asiwaju Tinubu.

    General Mohammadu Buhari, followed six minutes later.

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) drove in at 5.59 with ex-FCT minister, Mallam Nasir El – Rufai on the passenger seat with Governors Ajimobi and Amosun trailing them

    The APC leaders had arrived Abeokuta at around noon and met with Governor Amosun, at the Government House, Isale – Igbein, Abeokuta, strategising before proceeding to see Chief Obasanjo who had earlier in the day flown to Akure to commiserate with the chiefs and people of the town on the recent passing away of the Deji of Akure, Oba Adeniyi Adesida.

    Chief Obasanjo and the APC delegation emerged from their meeting at 7pm for a photo session with newsmen.

    The meeting ended at about 8pm with Asiwaju Tinubu telling reporters that the APC visit was not to woo Obasanjo but one borne out of “patriotism, dedication and commitment to Nigeria.”

    Tinubu said: “It is to be able to set Nigeria on the right path and for all men of goodwill to come together to rescue Nigeria. It is not a matter of wooing (him), an elder statesman.

    “Yes, he is a very unique person in his own way based upon the experience of life, tribulations one way or the other, he saw power, tribulations and then back to power. If you want to grasp the life of this man from zero to grace, zero again and then to grace. And then you will see what you get in such a person.

    “And you will need that wisdom not necessarily to join our partisan politics, but just to draw from the experience of an elder statesman.”

  • No cracks in our ranks – nPDP

    No cracks in our ranks – nPDP

    The Abubakar Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that there were no cracks in the ranks of its membership, contrary to some media reports.

    A statement issued on Wednesday by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Eze, said the leaders and members of the faction remained firmly united.

    The statement was made in the backdrop of report in certain quarters that Governor Babangida Aliyu had pulled out of the faction.

    The faction traced the report to some unnamed “failed politicians in the PDP faction loyal to Alhaji Bamabga Tukur.

    The statement said: “This reassurance has become necessary in view of the antics of detractors desperate to deceive the public and to sow the seed of discord in our midst.

    “These enemies of democracy routinely planted stories in the mass media to the effect that our ranks have become depleted but such stories inevitably end up being exposed as mere tissues of lies.

    “The latest of such fictions was the report which made the rounds yesterday purporting that His Excellency, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, Governor of Niger State, had resigned from the New PDP.

    “Of course, Governor Aliyu, who is also the leader of the Group of 7 (G7) Progressive Governors, was quick to rubbish the reports and to restate his commitment towards the actualization of our lofty vision to reclaim the PDP from the hands of the anti-democratic forces that have hijacked it and reform the party in keeping with the vision of its founding fathers.

    “We have noted with happiness the short-lived celebration by the Tukur faction over this false report – which betrays their culpability in the fabrication of the discredited report.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the New PDP under the leadership of Alhaji Aubakar Kawu Baraje is made up of selfless and committed patriotic Nigerians desirous of building a new Nigeria as envisaged by the founding fathers, using our great party as the starting point.

    “Contrary to the belief in some quarters, we are not in this struggle for personal gains. Therefore, anyone waiting to see one New PDP leader or the other dump the party for pecuniary considerations should be prepared to wait forever.

    “We wish to use this opportunity to once more thank our members for their steadfastness and the rest of Nigerians who have demonstrated their love and affection towards us since we embarked on this struggle. With your continued support and prayers, our cause is sure to meet with success.”

     

  • PDP crisis: Court bars New PDP

    PDP crisis: Court bars New PDP

    It was a major loss yesterday for the Kawu Baraje-led New PDP, a faction of the People’s Democratice Party (PDP) backed by former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday restrained the faction’s officers from parading themselves as officers of the party.

    Justice Evoh Chukwu, in a judgment yesterday, restrained Baraje, Jaja Sam Jaja and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (the National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman and National Secretary of the New PDP respectively) to stop parading themselves as such.

    The judge also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its officials from recognising Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola as national officers of the PDP, whether new or old.

    Justice Chukwu further restrained the three, Atiku (described as the leader of the New PDP) and their aides or employees from “interfering and continued interference with the duties and functions” of Tukur and other officers of the PDP elected at the August 31 special convention of the party.

    The judge also restrained Baraje, Jaja, Oyinlola and Atiku from opening or operating parallel national, state, local and ward secretariats of the PDP.

    The judgment was the result of a suit instituted by Tukur and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP against INEC, Baraje, Jaja, Oyinlola and Atiku.

    The plaintiffs had accused Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola of unlawfully holding themselves out as national officers of the PDP, with the backing of Atiku. The plaintiffs contended that they (plaintiffs) were the truly elected officers of the party by virtue of the party’s last special convention and that unless Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola were restrained, INEC would accord them recognition as officers of the PDP.

    Justice Chukwu noted that although Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola claimed to have been elected as officers of the party at a convention held at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja on August 30 this year, they failed to provide material evidence to support their claim.

    The judge also noted that the defendants (excluding INEC), who claimed that members at the August 30 convention resolved to suspend Tukur as the party’s Chairman, also failed to tender the said resolution.

    Justice Chukwu discountenanced all technical issues raised against the suit by the defendants.

    The judge noted that although the suit was inelegantly filed and presented, that was insufficient to prevent the court from doing justice to the dispute presented.

    Justice Chukwu held that with the sufficient material evidence presented by the plaintiffs, he was satisfied that the plaintiffs had proved their case.

    The judge also held that from INEC’s report at the PDP special convention held on August 31 this year, which was tendered by the plaintiffs, the court was satisfied that the plaintiffs were the actual officers of the party.

    He further held that by the evidence before the court, he was convinced that the convention held in Eagles Square on August 31 from which the plaintiffs emerged as officers of the party, was the only duly held convention.

    Earlier in the judgment, Justice Chukwu had dismissed the three separate preliminary objections filed against the suit by Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola.

    The objections had challenged the competence of the suit and the court’s jurisdiction to hear it.

    The judge held that the objections were without merit, the suit was properly initiated and that his court possessed the jurisdiction to hear it.

  • Court bars new PDP

    Court bars new PDP

    …Restrains Atiku, Baraje, others from interfering in PDP’s operations

    It was a major loss on Friday for the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, as a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the faction’s officers from parading themselves as officers of the party.

    Justice Evoh Chukwu, in a judgment ordered Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Jaja Sam Jaja and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (claiming to be National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman and National Secretary of the New PDP) to stop parading themselves in that capacity.

    The judge also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its officials from recognising Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola as national officers of the PDP, either new or old.

    Justice Chukwu further restrained the three and Atiku (described as the leader of the New PDP) and their aides or employees from “interfering and continued interference with the duties and functions” of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and other officers of the PDP elected at the August 31 special convention of the party.

    The judge also restrained Baraje, Jaja, Oyinlola and Atiku from opening or operating parallel national, states, local and ward secretariats of the PDP.

    The judgment was in a suit instituted by Tukur and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP against INEC, Baraje, Jaja, Oyinlola and Atiku.

    The plaintiffs had accused Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola of unlawfully holding themselves out as national officers of the PDP, with the backing of Atiku. The plaintiffs contended they were the truly elected officers of the party by virtue of the party’s last special convention and that unless Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola were restrained, INEC would accord them recognition as officers of the PDP.

    Justice Chukwu noted that although Baraje, Jaja and Oyinlola claimed to have been elected as officers of the party at a convention held at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja on August 30 this year, they failed to provide material evidence to support their claim.

     

     

  • PDP crisis: Anti-Baraje, Tambuwal lawmakers in secret breakfast meeting

    PDP crisis: Anti-Baraje, Tambuwal lawmakers in secret breakfast meeting

    The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party continued yesterday with 40 members of the House of Representatives opposed to the Kawu Baraje faction and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, holding a suspicious breakfast meeting in Abuja.

    The meeting was held behind closed doors in Plateau Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

    Barely a few hours after the meeting, the President removed his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Mrs. Joy Emordi, as part of a new strategy by the Presidency to take control of the National Assembly.

    Emordi was alleged to be using the carrot and stick method in dealing with National Assembly members instead of going for the stick policy.

    According to our investigation, the 40 House members met to review the disruption of the visit of the Kawu Baraje faction to the House on Tuesday and how to form a “standing army” to resist moves by the New PDP members and the opposition to frustrate bills from the Presidency.

    They also summoned the session, which was held between 9am and 10.30am, to design how to checkmate Speaker Aminu Tambuwal who is alleged to be sympathetic to the New PDP.

    A text message inviting the affected members to the meeting reads in part: “You are invited to a Breakfast Meeting as follows: Date: Friday, 20th September, 2013 (yesterday). Venue: Plateau Hall, Tarnscorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Time: 9.00am prompt. Kindly mobilize and attend with all those of our members who signed for peace and stability in our country, from your state (being one of our co-ordinators). Dr. Pat Asadu.”

    The affected lawmakers tried to hide the session away from the public, but one of our correspondents was able to enter the hall without them suspecting.

    The small hall in Transcorp Hilton with about eight to ten tables was filled, but there were no indications outside the hall to suggest the importance of the gathering as the aides and hangers-on that usually accompany the lawmakers were absent.

    The front of the hall was empty, except for the hotel’s staff and security officers that even pretended not to be aware of the calibre of people in the hall.

    The meeting was, however, presided over by a member of the Pan-African Parliament, Hon. Bethel Amadi, who is eyeing the governorship ticket of Imo State.

    At the end of the meeting, a few of the lawmakers took their time to take a bite of the breakfast, while many left in groups with smiling faces.

    One of the lawmakers, who spoke in confidence, said: “We decided to meet in order to bring in more members into our fold.

    “We want to ensure a smooth reign for President Goodluck Jonathan between now and 2015.”

    Another source said: “The lawmakers agreed to form a “standing army” to checkmate the majority in the House (New PDP and the opposition) who are already planning to frustrate all bills from the President.

    “We are not after the impeachment of Tambuwal, but he has to watch it. With what happened on Tuesday, we have shown that Tambuwal has not caged all members of the House.

    “Tambuwal should know that he is sitting on the edge. He has cause to be fair in all proceedings or else members will decide appropriately.

    “We may not have our way, but we can cause enough trouble for Nigerians to appreciate the tyranny of the majority.”

    Some of those in attendance were Tajudeen Yusuf (PDP, Kogi), Dr. Abiola Ajaja (Accord Party, Oyo), Friday Itulah (PDP, Edo) and many women representatives from the South-South and South-East axis.

    Barely a few hours after the session, the Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Mrs. Joy Emordi, was removed by the Presidency for what a source described as allegedly being too weak in dealing with National Assembly members.

    The source said: “Emordi believes in the carrot and stick method, but this is the time to call a spade a spade in the National Assembly.

    “The invasion of the National Assembly by the Kawu Baraje faction was embarrassing and legislative aides to the President were not circumspect enough.

    “If the National Assembly wants to draw a battle line with the Presidency, let it be done right away.”

  • No deal with Jonathan on 2015 – Baraje’s faction

    The Abubakar Baraje-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that there was no deal between the faction and President Goodluck Jonathan over the President’s 2015 re-election bid.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Eze, the faction accused the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP of spreading tissues of lies on the outcome of Sunday’s meeting between Jonathan and the G-7 governors.

    Baraje said claims by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, that the governors had okayed Jonathan for 2015 were mere propaganda meant to deceive members of the public.

    “We wish to specifically urge Nigerians and our supporters to ignore the concocted tales of Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum.

    “Akpabio lied by claiming that we have accepted that President Jonathan should contest the 2015 presidential election and that most of our demands are being met.

    “The fact of the case is that no agreement has been reached on any of the issues we tabled before the President and until we see results, Nigerians should ignore the present efforts by the Tukur camp to deceive them.

    “We advise Nigerians to ignore the tissue of lies and propaganda from the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur faction of the party on the outcome of our meeting with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the Presidential Villa last Sunday, 15th September, 2013,” Baraje emphasised.

    The faction added that there is a mechanism in place to decide whether or not Jonathan would be given the green light to contest the 2015 presidential election.

    Until the time to choose the party’s presidential flag-bearer comes, any speculation on this is just a mere academic exercise, Baraje stated.

     

  • Baraje’s faction elects NWC members

    Despite the security siege at its national secretariat, the Abubakar Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday ratified the election of its national officers.

    Ahead of its reconvening on Tuesday, there is however pressure on ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Peace Team to sanction the G-7 governors and all those behind the new PDP.

    The list of the National Working Committee members was contained in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

    The statement said: “Despite the security siege at its national secretariat, the Abubakar Baraje- led Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has ratified the election of its national officers.

    “The stakeholders of the party across the country at a meeting in Abuja have ratified the election of members of its National Working Committee.

    “The NWC members are: Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, (Chairman); Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, (Deputy National Chairman); Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, (National Secretary); Hon. Maode Umar Hiliya (Deputy National Secretary).

    “Others are Mr. Timi Frank (National Youth Leader); Hon Binta Koje, National woman leader; Mallam Nasir Issa (National Organising Secretary); Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze(National Publicity Secretary); Hon. Wadada (National Financial Secretary)and Mallam Tanko Isiaku Gomna (National Treasurer).

    “The positions of National Auditor and that of National Legal Adviser which are zoned to the South East and South West respectfully will be announced soon.”

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The presidency is insisting on sanction against the rebellious members to serve as deterrent to others.

    “But the elders are of the opinion that the party should adopt no victor, no vanquished policy to move forward.

    “This demand for sanction will top the resumption of peace talks in Abuja when Obasanjo’s team reconvenes.”