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‘Asari-Dokubo’s claim that Makarfi voted for APC in 2015 false’

Rivers state ex-warlord, Alhaji Asari Dokubo has been warned to stop peddling falsehood that former Kaduna state Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi voted for All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2015.

In a statement issued on behalf of Senator Makarfi on Sunday, his spokesman, Alhaji Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo warned members of the PDP to beware of such tactics aimed towards de-marketing Makarfi, in favour of an unnamed political foe.

According to Sirajo, Asari Dokubo is alleging, among other things that Senator Ahmed Makarfi voted for the APC in the 2015 presidential elections and that flaunted his ballot paper for all to see.

“Ordinarily, this is a statement we shouldn’t dignify with a response, but realizing that sometimes un-controverted falsehoods have a way of taking a life of their own and also knowing that it is not beyond some unscrupulous politicians to splash mud on the integrity of others in order to gain undue advantage.

“That statement is false in all ramifications; in fact given that Makarfi is not an obscure politician, having been Governor of Kaduna State for eight years and following that up with another eight at the Senate and capping those up leading the PDP at a very tumultuous period which was characterized by acrimonious leadership struggle.

“Isn’t it amazing that this could happen in 2015 and be buried till now?

“Moreover, from 1999 to 2015, Senator Makarfi, never skipped voting in any election; yet he has never been reported by any medium to have ever displayed his ballot paper to advertise his preference; we leave this judgment to the people.

“Senator Makarfi has remained a PDP man to the core, sticking with the party through thick and thin and maintaining his faith in it even at a time when defection was the easy way out.

“He has never hidden his gratitude to the PDP for the platform and opportunity it has afforded him to become what he has become and has never, for a second, on account of any slight he felt he suffered or for any other reason, even toyed with the idea of abandoning it let alone teaming up with others to bring it to ruination,” Sirajo stated.

Urging Asari Dokubo to freely exercise his constitutional rights of free expression without maligning others unduly, Sirajo emphasized that PDP members should de-emphasize falsehoods and mudslinging and concentrate on relevant issues.

“Asari Dokubo is a free Nigerian with all the attendant rights to pursue any legitimate undertaking, political or otherwise, including pitching his tent with any politician or tendency, but those do not include the fabrication and peddling of lies to impugn the integrity of others.

“Having discerned where he is coming from, by his own admission, we wish to assure him and all, that we have nothing but respect for all members of the PDP family, aspirants or otherwise and wish them well; it is our desire and hope that we all close ranks and collectively confront the challenges ahead.

“We call on all PDP leaders, members and supporters to maintain their eyes on the ball, by refusing to be distracted from the bigger picture, which is returning the party to power so that Nigerians can, once again, heave a sigh of relief.

“This we can do only by ensuring that we play politics of issues and forging a united front, without compromising decency, respect and love for our party and country,” Senator Makarfi’s spokesman added.

March 4, 2018
Kaduna crisis: Makarfi sues for peace

Former Kaduna State Governor Senator Ahmed Makarfi has condemned the sectarian crisis in some parts of Kaduna.

He warned that no development can take place in an atmosphere of violence.

Makarfi, in a statement by Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, said the people should live peacefully as canvassed by the two major religions.

The statement reads: “Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi is saddened by the news of the recent violence and attendant losses of life and property in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“The senator believes that though misunderstandings and disagreements are normal in any human society, resorting to violence cannot be justified in any way.

“As human beings, and believers in our two major religions, both of which have peace and good neighbourliness as part of its creeds, we have no reason whatsoever to descend to bestiality, citing reasons of religion or ethnicity, because even our ethnic groups have historically been known to live peacefully with one another…”

March 2, 2018
PDP must avoid hate languages in 2019, says Makarfi

•’Party confident of victory next year’

Former Acting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee Chairman Senator Ahmed Makarfi has advised the party not to repeat the mistakes it made in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, if it is to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC ) in 2019 election.

Makarfi linked some of the reasons why the PDP lost the presidency to the use of hate languages against opponents in the build-up to the election.

This, he said, caused dissatisfaction among the party members that came from the section of the country against which the hate speeches were directed.

Makarfi, who is a former Kaduna State governor, spoke in Lagos at the weekend, where he met selected print media reporters.

He said: “The language used by the PDP handlers was not polite during the campaign. The manner with which some of our members campaigned during the 2015 general elections maligned the opposition candidate. You know a section of the country felt foul languages were being used on them. People, who are members of the party from the region felt let down and they became indifferent.”

The PDP chieftain said former President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign handlers sidelined the party structure during the electioneering.

Rather than engage party members across the states, Makarfi said Jonathan’s campaign floated Transformation Agenda of Nigeria (TAN) to run the campaign independent of the party structure.

He said: “Another reason the party failed was that, our structure from the national down the line was not used for the campaign. Rather, an ad hoc arrangement in the name of TAN was used for the presidential campaign. And TAN was just a body promoted by some people to impress those in power. It was not something structured; but PDP is structured from national to the ward level.

“To abandon that asset (party structure) and use something superficial, there will naturally be problems, because you discouraged people from participating and people became nonchalant and uninterested. Some governors were not even aware of how campaign was going on. Coordinators were appointed in their states without even knowing. No governor was in the campaign council. The Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum was not in the presidential campaign council.”

Makarfi said he was confident that the PDP would return to power in 2019, saying the “lackluster performance” of President Muhammadu Buhari had made it easy for the PDP to return to power and give the country the required leadership.

The PDP leader also said there was no deliberate effort by party leadership to marginalise its members from the Southwest during its national congress last December, saying lack of consensus among the members from the region led to their misfortunes after the congress.

“Nobody directed the North to meet and maintained what they had zoned. As the chairman then, I didn’t ask them. It was not in my position to say so and nobody also stopped the South from meeting to agree. Failure to agree was what made the contest to be thrown open. Southwest was divided during the congress; they campaigned against each other. In politics, when you are campaigning against each other, you don’t expect the rest to give you leadership,” Makarfi said.

February 19, 2018
El-Rufai orders supply of drug for malnourished children

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has ordered the supply of more Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for the treatment of malnourished children in the state.

The Project Manager, Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan, Shehu Makarfi, disclosed this to journalists in Zaria on Sunday.

He said: “The order for additional supply of RUTF was due to fear of shortage of the drug, which was likely to affect the intervention given by the state government.”

He said the state government had mandated local governments to give coordinators of the programme N500,000 monthly for the activity but expressed regret that the fund was not being used judiciously.

“We called a meeting with health and nutrition officers in local government areas and her excellency, the wife of the governor, has read the riot act to them. Anyone caught tampering with the N500,000 will be held responsible,’’ Makarfi added.

NAN

February 5, 2018
OBASANJO’S COALITION :Mark, Makarfi, Lamido, others weigh options

•New group in secret plot against 11 APC states
•Ahmadu Ali tipped as CNM chair
•Anger in PDP over Obasanjo’s overtures to aggrieved PDP leaders
•Foreign missions open desks

Several presidential aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are currently assessing how the Olusegun Obasanjo-inspired Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) might bolster their chances.

In this category are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and Alhaji Sule Lamido, The Nation gathered last night.

However, some PDP leaders and governors are angry with the former president for allegedly trying to lure into the CNM party members who are aggrieved against the new leadership of the PDP headed by Prince Uche Secondus.

Multiple sources said the coalition is already plotting against 11 APC states to pave the way for any presidential candidate it might adopt, and may pick a one time National Chairman of the PDP, Colonel Ahmadu Ali, to lead it.

Apart from the likes of former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and ex-Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, no politician of note has openly identified with the CNM since it’s unveiling in Abuja on Wednesday.

Obasanjo, during his registration as a member of the coalition in Abeokuta on Thursday, said it was not yet a political party and that he would withdraw once it did.

It was gathered that some politicians who have an eye on the presidency in next year’s election are considering how they might profit from the coalition.

But they are waiting to see how it evolves and what influence it could wield.

Known friends of Obasanjo, including Ahmed Makarfi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Sule Lamido are treading cautiously in their attitude to the CNM.

Former Senate President, David Mark, is said not to be keen in joining forces with the coalition.

Sources said he might drop his presidential ambition.

A source familiar with the situation said: “I can tell you that some APC governors like Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and PDP leaders, including presidential aspirants like ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Sule Lamido, Ibrahim Shekarau and others are really weighing options before pitching tent with the CNM whose direction is still confusing a year to an election.

“It is only Shekarau who has told Obasanjo that he cannot leave PDP under any circumstance for CNM. Obasanjo had invited Shekarau penultimate Wednesday to his place and the ex-governor spent a night with him.

“By Thursday morning, Shekarau made it clear that he would not be part of CNM no matter the bait.

“He however restated his respect for the ex-President. But he told Obasanjo his readiness to seek the presidential ticket of PDP and pleaded for the support of the statesman.

When contacted last night, a close source to Shekarau said: “Our principal will remain in PDP; he won’t be part of Obasanjo’s coalition at all.”

A trusted strategist of Kwankwaso also said: “In as much as Kwankwaso is in favour of a mass movement, he still prefers shifting base to a stronger party like PDP if President Muhammadu Buhari shows interest in APC presidential race. But Kwankwaso has no problem working with Obasanjo, who is his hero.”

A source in Atiku’s camp said: “Our focus right now is on PDP primaries. If there is need for alignment later with anyone or movement; when we get to the bridge, we will cross it. Don’t forget that APC was also a product of a mass movement and realignment; Atiku will never be opposed to such if it is desirable.”

A source in Makarfi’s group said: “We are expecting the PDP governors and leaders to appreciate the worth of our principal and concede the party’s presidential ticket to him.”

A strategist of Tambuwal said: “While we appreciate Obasanjo as a statesman, it is not yet time for politics or joining any movement.”

A reliable ally of Lamido said: “The ex-Governor of Jigawa State is a party man; he will stick to PDP no matter the outcome of PDP presidential primaries. In 2015, Obasanjo did his best to woo Lamido to APC but he refused. So, I don’t see him joining this movement. “

Findings also revealed why PDP leaders and some APC governors had been cautious.

A top source added: “What is not helping matters with CNM is the hidden agenda of the coalition of Obasanjo.

“Some PDP leaders were told by a few sympathizers of CNM that the ultimate plan is to rely on PDP structure as the main opposition party, woo some APC governors, Senators and members of the House of Representatives, and foster alliance with a few parties to apply for a change of name from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the new merger party. The name will reflect a combination of PDP and others.

“Having torn PDP membership card, some of the leaders cannot understand why Obasanjo will seek to use its coalition to lure its leaders and members. The CNM wants to destroy PDP and build a new one from its rubbles.

“The CNM has a dangerous game-plan which will lead to the hijack of PDP from the governors of the party led by Nyesom Wike and the new generation of leaders.”

A member of NWC said the party’s leadership believes the “CNM will not work”

The source added: “What is painful is that in forming the coalition, Obasanjo has drawn some aggrieved PDP leaders to himself instead of those in the leadership of the party who he refused to contact. Instead in his letter to President Buhari, he was accusing the party of procuring judgment at the Supreme Court.

“From ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola (who was removed as PDP National Secretary) to ex-Governor Donald Duke, we learnt he has been trying to poach our former National Chairman, Sen. Ahmadu Ali, ex- Deputy President of the Senate, Ibrahim Mantu, ex-Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, a former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Kashim Ibrahim Imam, Prof. Rufai Alkali, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, Sen. Gadi, Arc. Bunu, Shehu Gabam and others.

“As a party, we are keeping records of what the CNM is up to with our leaders. We believe in reconciliation and we are working towards it. But if some of these leaders prefer CNM, good luck to them.”

Some CNM leaders were shocked that the coalition took off on a shaky note because of last minutes change of mind by some PDP leaders and APC governors who had assured Obasanjo of their support.

The affected subscribers to CNM had a rethink and stayed away from the maiden launch in Abuja because most of them were unsure of how the coalition can guarantee them elective positions in 2019.

Others claimed that it was “premature “to take any gamble with the coalition because 2019 politics is just manifesting.

It was learnt that the initial plan to make the coalition to take off with “frenzy” failed as plan with the absence of the affected leaders who had planned to be at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre.

It was gathered that the development informed the relaunch of the CNM, under the guise of membership registration by ex-President Obasanjo, on Thursday in Abeokuta.

Sources said that Obasanjo’s long standing ally and former National Chairman of PDP, Sen. Ahmadu Ali, may lead the CNM as chairman in view of his experience in ‘garrison politics’.

Meanwhile, there were fresh indications yesterday that Obasanjo’s coalition is in a secret plot against 11 APC states in order to pave the way for any presidential candidate it might adopt.

The targeted states are Kaduna, Jigawa, Kano, Osun, Katsina, Benue, Kwara, Ogun, Plateau, Imo, and Bauchi.

“The coalition wants to capitalize on some challenges in some of these states to effect change in leadership. The initial test of the coalition’s campaign will be during the forthcoming Osun and Ekiti governorship polls. The permutation is that once it is able to mobilize the masses to dislodge APC and PDP, the coalition would have effectively taken off.

“The template in Osun and Ekiti will now be used for the other nine states. The APC leaders are however aware of the plot and a counter-plot has started, beginning with the responses of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole to Obasanjo on his letter to Buhari.”

As at press time however, findings confirmed that most foreign missions have opened desks to monitor the potency of CNM and the emerging political scenarios in the country.

A diplomat said: “Your country is undergoing an interesting political time, we are all watching. Our home countries are really interested in what will become of Obasanjo’s project, especially if it will have impact on your country’s politics.

“We want a robust and stable democracy and peace for Nigeria.”

February 4, 2018
2019: Kaduna PDP endorses Makarfi for presidency

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna has unofficially endorsed former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, to contest the presidency come 2019.

The party made the endorsement at its Executive Committee meeting on Friday. Party loyalists, who filled the conference hall at the state Secretariat in Kawo expressed optimism that Makarfi was the right man for the job

The immediate past governor of the state, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who was the first to address the conference asked them if they would support Makarfi’s presidential bid and a thunderous response of ‘Nigeria sai Makarfi’ rented the air in affirmative.

But when the meeting was over, Makarfi himself declined to talk to the press as he walked down the hall in company of other party chieftains.

Should he agree to join the presidential race, he would be facing other top contenders including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who is at the moment, the party’s most popular candidate.

January 27, 2018
2019: Kaduna PDP endorses Makarfi for presidency

The People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) in Kaduna at its Executive Committee meeting on Friday informally endorsed former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi to run for presidency come 2019.

The party’s loyalists, who filled the conference hall at the state Secretariat in Kawo, Kaduna, to capacity during the first of its kind meeting of recent, expressed optimism that Makarfi was the right man for the job

The immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who was the first to address his party’s members asked them, if they would support Makarfi for President and a thunderous response of ‘Nigeria sai Makarfi’ rented the air in affirmative.

But when the meeting was over, Makarfi himself declined to talk to the press as he walked down the hall in a company of other party’s big wigs in the state.

Should he agree to contest as been suggested to him, he would be facing other top contenders, including former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who for now, seems like the most popular candidate.

January 26, 2018
‘Why Makarfi deserves PDP presidential ticket’

In this piece, Mohammed Ismail highlights the qualities expected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flagbearer for the 2019 election.

The recently conducted Peoples Democratic Party’s elective convention, has for the umpteenth time shown the democratic credentials of former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Muhammad Makarfi who despite the projections of the naysayers, has superintended a successful convention that produced the Uche Secondus led National Working Committee of the party.

After its defeat in the 2015 general elections, the party witnessed its major litmus test after it was engulfed by a lingering and protracted internal crisis between the Ahmed Makarfi’s faction and the Ali Modu Sherrif’s faction after the latter was surreptitiously imposed on the party by those who wanted it to die a natural death.

As the protracted battle for the control of the party’s soul between democratic forces led by Ahmed Makarfi and those who wanted to foist an era of impunity on the party led by Ali Modu Sherrif lasted, many thought the ugly development will mark the end of the party and by extension serve as the precursor for the total asphyxiation and strangulation of the opposition politics in Nigeria.

Those who harbour this erroneous line of thought did not reckon that men of calibre, substance, timbre, character, valour and true champions of democracy in the mould of Makarfi were still in the party, and could even pay the supreme price to ensure that our nascent democracy is truly rooted in our body polity.

True to expectation, Makarfi did not disappoint anybody as he commandeered a team of “democratic musketeers” to fight the Frankenstein monster imposed on the party by its traducers.

After the successful Supreme Court verdict which asserts Makarfi as the chairman caretaker committee, the party was left with another huge challenge of conducting a national convention that will produce the substantive National Working Committee of the party.

Adversaries of the party who do not give it the slightest chance of survival simply dismissed the possibility of the conduct of a successful national convention as a mirage, on the premise that the party could neither handle nor tame the vaulting ambitions of many of its members who are ready to tear it to shreds if their ambitions were nixed.

But as if to spring another surprise, PDP under the eagle eyes of Makarfi, defied the naysayers and conducted a convention that produced the NWC of the party and finally put to rest the portentous speculative hoax being peddled around by the enemies of democracy.

In an unprecedented feat, Makarfi held the most organized, and peaceful convention in the annals of the party which is in sharp contrast even to the last convention of the party which took place at Port Harcourt that was nearly stymied by legal tussles at a time the party was in power.

The fact that majority of the candidates who contested the plum office alongside Uche Secondus have accepted defeat and even congratulated the new chairman glaringly shows to all conscientious Nigerians that the party and its tumultuous followers across the length and breadth of the country and by extension our fledgling democracy emerge the winners as sooner than later, the import of such feat will profoundly manifest in our body polity.

It is normal in a political party as large as PDP to hear some shrill voices of dissent after the conduct of a major event such as its national convention, as complaints and outcries, true or false are natural instincts of human beings.

This is where I situate the lone complaint of Professor Tunde Adeniran who as at now, is the only chairmanship candidate who has raised a voice of dissension against the conduct of the convention at a time his co-contestants deemed it fit to endorse the Secondus led NWC through their unconditional approval of his election.

In line with the vision bequeathed by Makarfi, the new Exco of the party has swiftly moved into action in order to tame any untoward move by those who may be remotely aggrieved by the outcome of the convention by instituting a reconciliatory move in order to calm any frayed nerve for the good of the party and Nigerians who were at the receiving end of dearth of vibrant opposition.

The lesson that could be derived from the PDP convention is that despite being in the political coolers for a longtime and despite not being in power for about three years, PDP was able to conduct a national convention, a far cry from what is obtained in the ruling APC.

It does not require mentioning to note that the ruling party which on daily basis is showcasing its mediocrity and cluelessness has failed to conduct a national convention because of the fear that it may be eclipsed by the surfeit of internal strife bestriding it.

On the other hand, the PDP under Makarfi was bold enough to face the challenge which God blessed by giving Makarfi and his team the wisdom to organize a successful convention.

As the rudderless ruling party continues to wander in disarray and confusion but pretends that all was well, it was glaring even to the most naïveté that APC is currently being weight down by its deluge of baggages and is on a fast drift towards total implosion due to the manifestation of a serious ailment that led to the defection of one of its leading chieftains and Waziri of Adamawa Atiku Abubakar.

Going by the body language of some chieftains of the ruling APC including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his political ally, Senator Dino Melaye who without the fear of being persecuted paid an open solidarity visit on the newly elected PDP national chairman, a development that constitutes ominous portents for the APC, it behoves on the ruling party to set its house in order or face the imminent consequences of its lethargy in the near future.

It is my candid opinion that in view of the noble role played by Makarfi in rescuing the PDP couple with his unblemished and sterling record of performance both as Kaduna State governor, Senator and caretaker chairman of the major opposition party, the Secondus led-NWC should give him an automatic chance to fly its flag in 2019.

December 28, 2017
How PDP can regain power in 2019, by Jonathan, Atiku, Makarfi

•George shuns convention •Aspirant complains about ‘unity list’

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee Senator Ahmed Makarfi yesterday reflected on the 2015 electoral tragedy that hit the party, and declared that it could still bounce back in 2019 poll, if it put its house in order.

The PDP stalwarts spoke at the elective national convention of the party in Abuja.

Four chairmanship aspirants, including Senator Rashidi Ladoja, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and former Lagos State PDP governorship candidate Mr. Jimi Agbaje, announced their withdrawal from the race in ‘the interest of the party’.

Former PDP deputy national chairman, Chief Olabode George, who had withdrawn from the race on the eve of the convention shunned the exercise, although prominent chieftains from Lagos State as George, including Agbaje, Chief Dapo Sarumi and Goke Salvador, witnessed the exercise.

Following their withdrawal, the race was open to four aspirants, including Raymond Dokpesi, Uche Secondus, Tunde Adeniran and Aderemi Olusegun.

Jonathan

A commotion was averted at the venue when an aspirant for deputy national publicity secretary, Demola Kehinde, protested the alleged distribution of what he described as “unity list” to vote along a predetermined pattern.

At the convention, the PDP constitution was amended to allow women to exclusively occupy one of the two positions of deputy national chairmen. The amendment will become operational in January next year.

The event, which kicked off around 11.45 am, was declared open by Makarfi, who appealed to winners in the election to carry along the losers so that the party can foster unity.

Acknowledging the division in the party, which has not faded owing to the competition for party tickets in 2015, party congresses at the state level and competition for party offices, he said members should not close the door of reconciliation.

He said for conflict resolution to replace the culture of litigation in the party, party stalwarts should resolve to make sacrifices and work for harmony.

Makarfi said the onus is on the Post-Convention Reconciliation Panel chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, to listen to the grievances of the aggrieved, ventilate them and reconcile them with the party.

He also urged the new executive committee to always ensure a level playing ground for contestants in the future to avoid a situation whereby fresh problems are created while trying to resolve new existing challenges.

The former Kaduna State governor also urged the new leadership to give room for participation in the affairs of the party to women and youths.

He said future PDP government should set up a Students Loans Scheme to encourage students and stem the prevalent drop out in the tertiary institutions by indigent students.

Urging party faithful not to despair, Dr. Jonathan, who alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was persecuting top PDP chieftains, advised them to endure the pains and resolve to forge ahead with determination.

He said the winners must promote a culture of inclusiveness by carrying along those who lost at the convention.

Dr. Jonathan advised the party to put its house in order, maintaining that it can only regain power as a united family.

He stressed: “PDP should remain at the forefront of leadership by example. I urge members to continue to support the party. PDP has become a strong voice, a reference point as the nation moves closer to another election season. It is growing from strength to strength. Defectors are coming back. There is a reunion.

“PDP is the only stable party that has not changed its name and identity. It continues to make promise and fulfil its promises. Those who will win the election today must carry the losers along.”

Atiku said for PDP to survive, it must creatively cultivate Nigerians and convince them that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated.

He said: “We must work to earn the trust of Nigerians. If we get power, we should use it to work for Nigerians.”

The Waziri Adamawa said the poor performance of the APC will make Nigerians vote for the opposition party in 2019.

He said: “Under the APC, Nigeria is not working and our workers are not working. APC promised three million jobs. Under APC, Nigeria lost three million jobs. Under the PDP, Nigeria was united. Under the APC, Nigeria is disunited, more than it was during the civil war. APC promised restructuring, it has denied promising restructuring. PDP waged war against corruption; APC is waging war against the opposition.”

Atiku lamented that, despite its achievements in 16 years, PDP lost power because it made mistakes.

He added: “We made mistakes, but we put our nation first. APC is blaming previous government, instead of solving problems. Let the PDP get winning again so that it can get working for Nigerians again.”

December 10, 2017
PDP’s doors must remain wide open for returnees – Makarfi

The outgoing National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ahemed Markafi has appealed to the incoming leadership of the party to ensure that PDP’s doors remain wide open for both returnees and new members.

Makarfi made the call while welcoming delegates at the PDP National Convention held on Saturday in Abuja.

He said this was imperative to ensure that they were not disadvantaged in any way, “just as it is also imperative that the loyalty, sacrifices, commitment and dedication of those who stuck with the party through thick and thin were not denigrated in any way.

“A level playing field must be availed all members so that we avoid a situation in which we create many other problems while trying to solve one.

“In words and actions, we must continuously assure and reassure members that loyalty to the party does, indeed pay and is rewarded.

“It is not out of place for me to advise the incoming leadership to focus, among others, on evolving ways that would facilitate greater involvement of women and youths in both politics and governance,” he said. .

Makarfi said that inspite of all the challenges encountered by his led Committee, they were able to record some achievements.

Some of the challenges according to him include litigation and inadequate finance as all but one of the bank accounts inherited by the committee was garnished by various court judgements.

“The only bank account we have had access to these past 18 months is one that had less than two million naira.”

He said that inspite of all constraints, the committee was able to lay a good foundation for the re positioning the PDP, turning it into the beautiful bride coveted by all discerning politicians.

He added that the committee was able to achieve substantial reconciliation among PDP members across the country, especially in states with serious leadership problems with several factions.

The states according to him were Adamawa, Anambra, Borno, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo.

He expressed hope that before long, litigations would cease to be the vehicle through which members resolve their issues in the PDP.

He appealed to all members to eschew division and rancor and imbibe the culture of subsuming their individual
interests into the larger interest of the party.

Makarfi said that the party believed that vibrant, but decent and patriotic opposition was required to develop and mature Nigeria democracy.

“We must continue to show by our words and actions that opposition is no madness.”

He advised the ruling party to address the challenges of joblessness and hunger saying “Nigerians are hungry as poverty is ravaging the land.

“Insecurity in the North East which was thought to be receding is creeping back with greater ferocity, particularly against soft targets.

“Kidnap for ransom has taken a life of its own, so is the incessant farmers and herdsmen clashes and criminalities.

“Government must up the ante in its efforts to confront these menaces.”

Also speaking, Sen. Walid Jibril, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) said that the board would work with new leaders of the party that would emerge.

Jibril said that delegates must be given free hand to vote for candidates of their choice.

NAN reports a moment silent was observed in memory and honour of late Vice President, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme.

December 9, 2017