The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LP

  • ‘Why corruption still remains an issue for Buhari govt’

    ‘Why corruption still remains an issue for Buhari govt’

    Leadership of 19 registered political parties Wednesday gave reason why corruption is still a primary issue for the Muhammad Buhari’s administration.

    According to the political parties, previous attempt have not been as successful as they should be.

    The noted that the anti-graft war is crucial to the survival of the country.

    The political parties include Labour Party, LP, Action Alliance, AA, National Conscience Party, NCP, Democratic People’s Party, DPP, African Democratic Congress, ADC, Democratic Party of Nigeria, DPN, and MPPP amongst others.

    Briefing newsmen in Abuja Wednesday, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, who read the text of the media briefing on behalf of the parties, said.

    “We want to put on record that we are solidly behind President Muhammad Buhari’s fight against corruption; a fight that we believe is crucial to the survival of our country.

    “In fact, the reason corruption is still a primary issue for the Buhari administration is that previous attempts have not been as successful as they should be.”

    They however noted that the way and manner the anti-graft agencies are carrying out the fight might scuttle the president’s noble intention.

    He said; “We however wish to note that this is not the first time that a president of this country would be declaring a war against corruption. We aver that one of the major obstacles in the fight against political corruption in Nigeria over the years is the way and manner it has been fought so as to give the impression that the fight is selective and targeted only at perceived enemies of government.”

    The political parties warned that “once an anti-corruption is perceived as politically motivated, then the entire war against corruption easily gets reduced to a means of settling political scores rather than genuine commitment to fighting corruption. We are afraid that if care is not taken, the President Buhari’s avowed commitment to fighting corruption may end up in the ways of his predecessors.”

    Citing the recent clearance of the Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Justice Danladi Umar by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) of allegation of misconduct, the political parties noted that the commission’s posture was a wrong signal arguing that it is only the law court that can do so.

    The parties therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct an immediate investigation to unravel the circumstances which led to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFFC, issuing the letter of clearance to Justice Danladi Umar over his alleged involvement in N10 million bribery scandal.

    On the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Abdulsalam said the political parties were not against his trail, stressing that “President Buhari needs to act now, not to stop Saraki’s trial but to ensure that the process of fighting corruption does not end up being even more corrupt than the corruption it seeks to eliminate.”

    The political parties however kicked against Justice Umar’s presiding over the trial.

    According to them, “We recall that the Chairman of the Tribunal has himself been under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of bribery and corruption.

    “We observe however that the preponderance of evidence that has been deployed so far against Dr. Saraki, including the Principal Prosecution Witness in the matter, were supplied by the EFCC.

    “What that means is that the Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr. Danladi Umar, is not only beholden to, but also under the control of the prosecution. Invariably, since Mr. Danladi Umar has the prosecutors ‘axe dangling on his neck, his ability to do justice to the defendant would be naturally impaired.

    “To make the matter worse, we noted how the EFCC, in an unprecedented act of desperation, hurriedly issued a memo re-activating a report to the AGF and SGF dated 5th March, 2015, which it now attempts to present as a clearance letter to Umar.

    “If this act alone does not confirm the grand collusion between the EFCC and the Chairman of the Tribunal to tilt the scale of justice against Dr. Saraki, then nothing would. However, if this case is about strengthening probity and accountability in public office, we fully support it; even as we insist that justice must not only be done, but be seen by all to have been done to all.”

     

  • Nominees upbeat as PDP, LP condemn Buhari’s list

    Nominees upbeat as PDP, LP condemn Buhari’s list

    Senate begins screening Oct. 13

    Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday unveiled the long-awaited presidential ministerial nominees.

    There are 21 nominees from 21 states. Three women are listed.

    Some of the nominees expressed optimism about the team and their readiness to deliver the good government desired by the people.

    Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi described his nomination as “a call to service and good governance”.

    Another nominee and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi said: “It’s about change. We are going to offer real change.”

    But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lampooned the list, saying it was not excited by it.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh, the PDP said: “By a mere look at the list, one can tell that there is nothing to be excited about, especially considering the length of time it took the President to come up with it.

    “Looking at the list, it is hard to put a finger on why it should take any serious-minded and focused government six months after its election to assemble such a regular team.”

    The Labour Party (LP) condemned the list for not representing the youth.

    The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam,said most of the names on the list were analogue people who have nothing to contribute.

    He wondered why President Buhari could not fulfill the promise he made to Nigerian youths during the electioneering campaign.

    “For us in the Labour Party, we do not see anything that resembles change as far as the ministerial team is concerned. Imagine bringing someone who served in the government of the late Sarduana of Sokoto to serve as minister in 2015.

    “All these people are analogue persons who cannot bring about any change under the current dispensation,” Abdulsalam said.

    The Senate gallery was unusually crowded following heightened expectation of probable names of nominees.

    The Senate President entered the chamber around 10.37am. He said the prayer to open the day’s business.

    Immediately the votes and proceedings of September 30 were approved, Saraki announced that he received a correspondent from President Muhammadu Buhari by 5.15 pm on October 30.

    The Senate President said he decided to put the time he received the correspondent because of the Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who during the sitting of the Senate on September 30, demanded to know why the list was not read.

    Saraki said the correspondent contained a partial list of ministerial nominees which he received from Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

    Before Saraki unveiled the list, anxiety among those in the gallery showed in the looks on many faces.

    The tension suddenly evaporated immediately the first few names were read and they turned out be what had already been published in the newspapers.

    Saraki said President Buhari requested the Senate to approve the nominees expeditiously.

    The Senate President announced Abubakar Malami (SAN) (Kebbi), Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau (Kano), Senator Aisha Jumai Al-hassan (Taraba), Alhaji Lai Mohammed (Kwara), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Adebayo Shittu, a lawyer (Oyo),  Solomon Dalong (Plateau), Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige (Anambra), Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Chief Audu Ogbeh (Benue), Amina Ibrahim (Kaduna)and Osagie Ehanire( Edo) as the ministerial nominees.

    Others are Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (Delta), Kemi Adeosun (Ogun), Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi), Ahmed Isa Ibeto (Niger),Ibrahim Musa Jubrin (     ), Senator Hadi Sirika (Katsina), Senator Udoma Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom) and Sulaiman Adamu (Jigawa.)

    Immediately Saraki concluded reading the list, there was protest in the chamber.

    Some senators shouted that their states were left out.

    Minority Leader, Akpabio took to the floor and promptly moved a point of order.

    He said since it took President Buhari four months to submit to the Senate what he (Buhari) tagged “partial ministerial nominees list”, it was likely the President would take another four months or more to submit the complete list of nominees.

    The former Akwa Ibom State governor prayed the Senate to compel President Buhari to submit the complete list before the screening of the nominees would begin.

    He insisted that his fear was that states not accommodated in the list might be forgotten.

    Saraki said President Buhari should be given the benefit of the doubt.

    The Senate President noted that since President Buhari kept his September deadline to submit the list to the Senate, he was sure the President would send the second batch of nominees.

    Although the assurances of the Senate President did not quite reassure most of the Senators, Saraki announced that the screening of the nominees would begin on October 13.

    He said before the scheduled date, the nominees would have submitted their curriculum vitae to the Senate for circulation to senators.

    The Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, said the Senate was expecting nothing less than 36 ministerial nominees, one from each state of the federation.

    He said: “Any time from now, we are expecting the remaining nominees. Mr. President is a man of his words and a man of integrity. He will send the remaining list of nominees any time from now. We are expecting nothing less than 36 nominees, one from each state of the federation.”

    Melaye noted that because of their promise to do a rigorous exercise, the Senate decided to begin the screening on October 13.

    He added that while they wanted to expedite the screening, there was equally the need to be diligent.

    He said beginning from Thursday, Senators would be furnished with the CVs of the nominees to enable them study the CVs and to prepare themselves to ask questions.

    Melaye said the Senate would be glad to have the proposed portfolios of the nominees.

    He said the screening would be broadcast live on Tuesday and Thursday.

    He reiterated that the screening would not be teleguided by political affiliation “because we want to do it in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians will appreciate us”.

    Melaye said that it was not true that President Buhari would be invited for screening if he decides to be Minister of Petroleum.

    He described the information as unfounded, adding that “the information is the personal view of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, which he is entitled to”.

    The Senate spokesman said any petition against any nominee would be looked into.

     

  • APGA warns PDP, LP over attack on Obiano

    APGA warns PDP, LP over attack on Obiano

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) to desist from attacking Governor Willie Obiano.

    APGA’s Publicity Secretary Chinedu Nkwonta said the parties were attacking the governor because they were jobless.

    APGA described allegations that Obiano abandoned projects initiated by former governor Peter Obi as frivolous even as it warned that ignoring its position would be at their own peril.

    “The honeymoon for these visionless and non- directional political parties and their cohorts is over; APGA can no longer sit and watch them undermine the office of the governor with unfounded allegations.

    “My office is equipped and ready to return back to them as they dish. He that lives in a glass house should not throw stones. Enough of their nonsense; that APGA is a law-abiding party does not give anyone the impetus to ride our leader. “Any negative attack on Akpokuo is an attack on APGA. It is an attack on the general integrity of Ndi Anambra, who are predominantly APGANS.

    “Let me remind the dreamers once more that PDP does not exist in Anambra, what they have are bullies and intimidators who have in the past, advantaged their control of the centre to defraud us during elections.

    “APGA is fully awake now, be rest assured that such can never happen again. The Labour Party has gone extinct as it is and there is no need to push it.

    “Who is the Chairman of PDP in Anambra? Where is Labour Party in the comity of political parties? How can someone who cannot manage his home come to the public to allege unfounded allegations against a working governor?

    “The position of governor Willie Obiano as our leader is that we should not expend energy in replying frivolous allegations, we spend our time in telling Ndi Anambra, Nigeria and the world what Akpokuodike Igbo is doing is a template for leadership.

    “This does not imply that we have to let the miscreants in PDP and their disgruntled partners keep undermining the office of the governor,” APGA said.

  • APGA warns PDP, LP over attack on Obiano

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance on Tuesday in Awka Anambra State warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party to desist from unnecessary attacks against Governor Willie Obiano or taste the party’s wrath.

    Addressing reporters at APGA’s state secretariat, the party’s publicity secretary, Hon. Chinedu Nkwonta, said these parties had delved into unwarranted attacks on the working governor because of joblessness.

    APGA described allegations of abandoning projects initiated by former Governor Peter Obi by Obiano as frivolous and ludicrous being concocted and peddled by opposition elements without vision.

    APGA said, “Let me be clear on this, the honey moon for these visionless and non directional political parties and their cohorts are over. APGA can no more sit and watch them undermine the office of the Governor with unfounded allegations.

    “My office is equipped and ready to return back to them as they dish. He that lives in a glass house should not be throwing stones. Enough of their nonsense, that APGA is a law abiding party does not give anyone the impetus to ride our leader and BoT Chairman. Any negative attack on Akpokuo is an attack on APGA. It is an attack on the general integrity of Ndi Anambra who are predominantly APGANS.

    “Let me remind the dreamers once more that PDP does not exist in Anambra, what they have are bullies and intimidators that have in the past advantaged their control of the centre to defraud us during elections.

    “APGA is fully awake now, be rest assured that such can never happen again in Anambra. Labour party has gone into extinction as it is, no need to push it.”

  • How LP beat Accord to Minority Leader, by Oyo Speaker

    Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Michael Adeyemo has said majority of the 32-member of the Eighth Assembly chose to suspend the rule of the House to allow a Labour Party (LP) candidate  emerge as Minority Leader.

    Adeyemo, who spoke to The Nation at the weekend, said the lawmakers did so to throw the position open.

    The House is made up of 18 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), eight Accord and six LP members.

    Olagunju Ojo defeated Olalekan Olagunju to emerge the Minority Leader.

    He scored 21 to beat his rival’s nine.

    Political observers had expected that Accord would produce the Minority Leader having produced higher minority  lawmakers.

    The development attracted some criticism.

    But Adeyemo said the constitution allows suspension of any rule of the House to allow a majority decision sail through.

    He said: “There is no controversy. People decided to go with what we have in the House rule, forgetting that the same rule makes provision for the suspension of any rule for you to do certain things.

    “If you want to do certain things, you suspend the provision of the House rule that will stop you from doing it.

    “Election of principal officers of the House is the business of the members of the House either from the majority or the minority. All members will participate.

    “So, when it comes to the issue of election of minority leader, our rule says it should be from the minority party with the highest number of members but a member raised a motion that the rule  be suspended.

    “Why? They wanted the whole thing to be thrown open. So, what we did was in accordance with the rule of law.

    “All members approved the suspension of the House rule and we went for voting. And the members decided who should be the Minority Leader.”

    Adeyemo also promised that the Assembly would surpass the record of the Seventh Assembly as members have agreed to work together, irrespective of their political affiliations.

  • Alao-Akala: no exit from LP

    Alao-Akala: no exit from LP

    Former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala has denied his rumoured defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said he remains the leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Oyo State and will provide purposeful opposition to the ruling APC.

    The LP governorship candidate said he does not need to join the APC to play significant roles though he understands the need for collective effort to build the state.

    Alao-Akala, in a statement by his Director of Public Affairs, Oludare Ogunlana, said doors are open for advice on how to move the nation forward.

    “The problem of unemployment, non-payment of workers’ salary; lack of fund and dwindling allocation require collective approach,” he said.

  • LP candidate wins Delta constituency’s Assembly seat

    The Labour Party (LP) candidate for Udu Constituency in Delta State, Peter Okagbare Uviejitobor, has been declared winner of the House of Assembly’s election for the constituency.

    Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) Returning Officer for the constituency, Prof Sunday Akparobi, declared Uviejitobor the winner at the Otor-Udu collation centre.

    The INEC chief said Uviejitobor won with 8,948 votes.

    At the signing of the declaration of results, Prof Akparobi, said: “…Chief Peter Okagbare Uviejitobor of Labour Party, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”

    Uviejitobor thanked the people of Udu for voting massively for him during the election.

    The lawmaker-elect promised to fulfil his electioneering promises to them.

  • Ekiti LP accuses INEC, PDP of robbery

    Ekiti LP accuses INEC, PDP of robbery

    THE Labour Party (LP) in Ekiti State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rob the party of four House of Assembly seats at Saturday’s polls.

    The constituencies, where the LP claimed its candidates won which results were allegedly overturned in favour of PDP, are Moba 1, Moba 2, Emure and Ekiti Southwest 1.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state LP Chairman, Akin Omole, expressed the readiness of the party to challenge the result in the four contentious constituencies at the Elections Petition Tribunal.

    Omole said the party has evidence to prove its case before the yet-to-be-constituted tribunal that the results were rigged in favour of PDP.

    The LP chair accused Electoral Officers, security men and PDP chieftains backed with state instrument of coercion of committing the alleged electoral fraud which, he said, denied the rightful winners of their mandates.

    The state LP leader and House of Representatives member, Opeyemi Bamidele, called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to ensure that the erring electoral officials are sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others.

  • APC, LP accuse INEC of conniving with PDP to rig

    There was confusion in Okpara Inland, Ethiope East LGA as official of agents of the LP and APC accused INEC official of conniving with the PDP to rig the election.

    Trouble broke when aggrieved parties’ agents blocked the entrance to the collation centre in Okpara Ward, insisting that the INEC Supervisor, Mr. John Timi must produce result sheets before commencement of the exercise. They said all materials got to the Ward 4 centre and wondered why result sheets were ‘missing.’

    Timi, who was contacted by our reporter, declined to comment, but Hon Sylvester Avworo and Willie Telegraph of LP and APC insisted that there was foul play. But there counterpart in PDP said the opposition agents were troublemakers.

  • LP uncovers plot to rig elections

    The Labour Party (LP) has alerted to a plot to rig Saturday’s poll in Delta State.

    The party alleged that the ‘powers that be’ already have result sheets for the elections.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja, party National Chairman Alhaji Abdukadir Abdulsalam said there were signs the alleged fraud of March 28 would be repeated on Saturday.

    He said: “Delta State, being a peculiar case, had various credibility issues o March 28, and has shown signs of concluded rigging arrangement for Saturday.

    “May it interest the public that the result sheets of the yet to hold elections is already in public domain”.

    The party’s Secretary, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, also called for a cancellation of election results in some states on account of alleged manipulation.

    He listed the states as Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Borno, Ebonyi.

    Ajulo warned that if their demand was not attended to, the party would pursue its grievance in the law court.