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Tag: Makarfi

  • National chairman from Southwest or no PDP – Ahmadu Ali

    National chairman from Southwest or no PDP – Ahmadu Ali

    Prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the three geo-political zones in the North yesterday urged adherence to the zoning arrangement agreed upon for the party’s national convention and 2019 general elections.

    Among others, the party has zoned its chairmanship slot to the South and the presidential ticket reserved for aspirants from the North.

    The party leaders, at an enlarged consultative meeting in Abuja yesterday, appealed to aspirants to various elective positions not to violate the zoning arrangement, saying the party paid dearly for such violations in the 2015 presidential election.

    But there was disagreement.

    While a former National Chairman Dr. Ahmadu Ali argued in favour of electing the next chairman from the Southwest geopolitical zone, Caretaker Chairman Ahmed Makarfi said the position was zoned to the South and that micro zoning is not binding.

    Ali said: “It’s either we choose our next national chairman from the Southwest or we forget about PDP”, adding that the zone had yet to occupy the chairmanship position since the formation of the party in 1998.

    “We must be ready to ensure that at the convention, the main issue, which is the national chairmanship of the party, is well handled. If we don’t vote the Southwest, we can as well forget the PDP.”

    Ali maintained that the way forward for the PDP is to remain united and warned against unauthorised divisive meetings among certain members for selfish reasons.

    Makarfi restated the commitment of the party to respect the various zoning arrangements, adding however that those bent on going against the zoning arrangement should be allowed to please themselves.

    Makarfi said: “The Port Harcourt convention decisions remain valid and one of the decisions taken at that convention was zoning.  But microzoning does not have a binding effect.

    “If a position is zoned to the North and you are from the North and you come to buy form, we will sell for you. Don’t forget that people will not get tired of taking the PDP to court”.

    Another former National Chairman Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, called for sanctions against members that go against the party’s zoning arrangement.

    Haliru added that going against the party’s zoning arrangement should no longer be tolerated; saying doing so amounted to disobedience and disloyalty that must be addressed by the leadership.

    The ex party chair called for sanctions against Eklit State Governor Ayodele Fayose, who declared his intention to run for President, noting that “zoning and rotation are part of the PDP Constitution. We must adhere to them if we are to keep this party alive.

    “There are people who are bent on contesting whether the office is zoned to their place or not. We must discuss with the South, so that anybody who goes against zoning can be punished. We cannot afford to have people come to the convention and make a fool of themselves and ridicule the party”.

    Former Senate President  Iyorchia Ayu described the north as one with the required number to decide who becomes the next chairman.

    “We in the North have the number and we will decide who eventually becomes the national chairman from any part of the South. We have done it before and we are going to do it again”, Ayu said.

    A former Minister of Information, Prof Jerry Gana warned against impunity and imposition of candidates to avoid a repeat of past mistakes.

    “I want to appeal to you to give to the party the very best in the positions that have been zoned to us. Let us therefore give to the party, men and women of impeccable integrity.

    “Whatever the Fayoses of this world may be doing, the party has resolved that the presidential candidate will come from one of the three zones in the north”.

    A former Special Duties Minister, Dr. Kabiru Taminu insisted that zoning was one of the principles recognised and entrenched in the party’s constitution.

    Makarfi lauded the sacrifice made by delegates to the meeting.

    Makarfi called for unity among members as the surest way for the PDP to regain power in 2019.

    The chairman announced the decision of the Osun State chapter of the Labour Party to join the PDP as part of the reconciliation efforts.

    Also  at the enlarged meeting were former Governors Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada (Kogi); ex Governor Ramalan Yero (Kaduna); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); and Ibrahim Shema( Katsina).

    Others include former Ministers Abba Moro, Adamu Maina Waziri Zainab Maina and Chief Fidelis Tapgun.

    A former Deputy President of the Senate, Ibrahim Mantu, former National Woman Leader, Ina Ciroma and the chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin also attended the meeting.

  • Ali, Makarfi differ on zoning in PDP

    Ali, Makarfi differ on zoning in PDP

    •Southwest should produce chairman, says Ali

    Prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the three geo-political zones in the North yesterday urged adherence to the zoning arrangement agreed upon for the party’s national convention and 2019 general elections.

    Among others, the party has zoned its chairmanship slot to the South and the presidential ticket reserved for aspirants from the North.

    The party leaders, at an enlarged consultative meeting in Abuja yesterday, appealed to aspirants to various elective positions not to violate the zoning arrangement, saying the party paid dearly for such violations in the 2015 presidential election.

    But there was disagreement.

    While a former National Chairman Dr. Ahmadu Ali argued in favour of electing the next chairman from the Southwest geopolitical zone, Caretaker Chairman Ahmed Makarfi said the position was zoned to the South and that micro zoning is not binding.

    Ali said: “It’s either we choose our next national chairman from the Southwest or we forget about PDP”, adding that the zone had yet to occupy the chairmanship position since the formation of the party in 1998.

    “We must be ready to ensure that at the convention, the main issue, which is the national chairmanship of the party, is well handled. If we don’t vote the Southwest, we can as well forget the PDP.”

    Ali maintained that the way forward for the PDP is to remain united and warned against unauthorised divisive meetings among certain members for selfish reasons.

    Makarfi restated the commitment of the party to respect the various zoning arrangements, adding however that those bent on going against the zoning arrangement should be allowed to please themselves.

    Makarfi said: “The Port Harcourt convention decisions remain valid and one of the decisions taken at that convention was zoning.  But microzoning does not have a binding effect.

    “If a position is zoned to the North and you are from the North and you come to buy form, we will sell for you. Don’t forget that people will not get tired of taking the PDP to court”.

    Another former National Chairman Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, called for sanctions against members that go against the party’s zoning arrangement.

    Haliru added that going against the party’s zoning arrangement should no longer be tolerated; saying doing so amounted to disobedience and disloyalty that must be addressed by the leadership.

    The ex party chair called for sanctions against Eklit State Governor Ayodele Fayose, who declared his intention to run for President, noting that “zoning and rotation are part of the PDP Constitution. We must adhere to them if we are to keep this party alive.

    “There are people who are bent on contesting whether the office is zoned to their place or not. We must discuss with the South, so that anybody who goes against zoning can be punished. We cannot afford to have people come to the convention and make a fool of themselves and ridicule the party”.

    Former Senate President  Iyorchia Ayu described the north as one with the required number to decide who becomes the next chairman.

    “We in the North have the number and we will decide who eventually becomes the national chairman from any part of the South. We have done it before and we are going to do it again”, Ayu said.

    A former Minister of Information, Prof Jerry Gana warned against impunity and imposition of candidates to avoid a repeat of past mistakes.

    “I want to appeal to you to give to the party the very best in the positions that have been zoned to us. Let us therefore give to the party, men and women of impeccable integrity.

    “Whatever the Fayoses of this world may be doing, the party has resolved that the presidential candidate will come from one of the three zones in the north”.

    A former Special Duties Minister, Dr. Kabiru Taminu insisted that zoning was one of the principles recognised and entrenched in the party’s constitution.

    Makarfi lauded the sacrifice made by delegates to the meeting.

    Makarfi called for unity among members as the surest way for the PDP to regain power in 2019.

    The chairman announced the decision of the Osun State chapter of the Labour Party to join the PDP as part of the reconciliation efforts.

    Also  at the enlarged meeting were former Governors Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada (Kogi); ex Governor Ramalan Yero (Kaduna); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); and Ibrahim Shema( Katsina).

    Others include former Ministers Abba Moro, Adamu Maina Waziri Zainab Maina and Chief Fidelis Tapgun.

    A former Deputy President of the Senate, Ibrahim Mantu, former National Woman Leader, Ina Ciroma and the chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin also attended the meeting.

     

  • Kashamu urges court to void PDP disciplinary decisions

    Kashamu urges court to void PDP disciplinary decisions

    A Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu, on Friday asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to nullify the disciplinary actions taken against him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

    Kashamu, in a suit he filed before the court, argued that all disciplinary steps, including the query dated September 7, 2017 issued against him and his referral to the Disciplinary Committee of the party, were in violation of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, in a suit FHC/L/CS/605/2016.

    He said the action of the party was also in disobedience of an order by Justice Babatunde Quadri of the Federal High Court, Abuja, made in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/732/2017 on September 5, 2017.

    The Senator said the PDP, as a party in “serial disobedience of court orders in the management of its affairs in the South West and disdain for the rule of law”, unless the court intervened in the matter, would unjustifiably expel him or block him from seeking nomination for future elections on its platform.

    In the fresh suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2017, Kashamu alleged that some national leaders of the PDP were moving against him just because he insisted on observance of internal democracy in the management of the affairs of the party, particularly in the South West.

    Respondents in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the PDP and the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee.

    Other respondents are the Chairman of the PDP Disciplinary Committee, Chief Tom Ikimi; Makarfi, and another member of the party Caretaker Committee, Ben Obi.

     

  • PDP convention will be transparent – Makarfi

    PDP convention will be transparent – Makarfi

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee has said its elective convention slated for December would be transparent.

    The Chairman of the caretaker committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, gave the assurance when he received a delegation of former National Working Committee of the party on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said although there would always be attempt by some people to be “crowned,” the party leadership would not do such a thing.

    Makarfi, who described the convention as “a process,” said it was important that PDP come out of that convention strong and united.

    “When we were in the Supreme Court, we were in the `intensive care unit.’

    “When they bring you out of the unit, they put you under observation before they take you to a general ward.

    “So now, we are in a general observation, that is the convention, and after that, the nomination processes for the elections will be the final.

    “If we get all these processes right, there is no reason why the PDP will not be in power at the centre in 2019.

    “Together, I am confident we will get there. The fact that we stumbled here and there does not mean we don’t have the capacity to rise again,’’ he said.

    Makarfi urged leaders at all levels to be fair to all.

    He added: “Power is transient, it is like sleep, you wake up and it is no longer there.

    “When you are in a position, be guided by a sense of fairness, justice and equity and you will be able to sleep well.

    “You can’t satisfy everybody but if you are convinced and it is obvious that you gave your best, I tell you, you’ll remain standing and strong.

    “That is what leadership at all levels is all about, whether it is political party leadership, legislative or executive.

    “We should remember that one day, it can be us and at other times, it can be other people. Respect is reciprocal and it flows.”

    Makarfi pledged to work with the forum of the former NWC members of PDP and other stakeholders.

    “Quite a good number of you have actually been assisting us in the job that we are doing.

    “PDP is a family and it should continue to be one,’’ he stated.

    NAN

  • Makarfi: No rift between Jonathan, Dickson

    Makarfi: No rift between Jonathan, Dickson

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Senator Ahmed Makarfi has dismissed the alleged rift between former President Goodluck Jonathan and Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Makarfi made the clarification yesterday while receiving the party’s Executive Committee members of the Bayelsa chapter of the PDP at the party’s Abuja secretariat.

    Media reports indicated that the alleged rift between Jonathan and Dickson was threatening the stability of the Bayelsa State chapter of the PDP.

    Makarfi told the Bayelsa delegation that he had discussed the alleged rift with Jonathan and that the former President had assured him that the reports were the handiwork of mischief-makers for the purpose of creating crisis in the chapter.

    The party chairman warned the chapter’s leadership against yielding to the antics mischief-makers, who he said, were out to distabilise the party.

    Makarfi said: “Don’t allow yourselves to be fragmented by rumours. Your executive has been ratified by the convention and that is final. There is no need to pander to rumour of an impending sack of your executive.”

    The party chairman, however, admitted that a certain group of people filed a petition against the Bayelsa State Governor and the executive committee of the state chapter, but that he had dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.

    “Immediately the rumour broke out, the former President called me to dismiss that rumour and he said there was no iota of truth in the said petition against the Bayesla executive,” Makarfi said.

    Chairman of the Bayelsa chapter, Mr. Moses Cleopas, described Jonathan as a respected national leader, who is held in high esteem by the people.

    “The governor is our leader in the state and the two of them have been relating well. There is no feud between Jonathan and Dickson. I can confirm that. Some people are just envious of the peace in Bayelsa PDP,” Cleopas said.

  • Makarfi, Kashamu trade words over expulsion threat

    Makarfi, Kashamu trade words over expulsion threat

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has accused the senator representing Ogun East senatorial district, Buruji Kashamu, of fueling the crisis in the Ogun State chapter of the party.

    “We have constituted caretaker committees in seven states and all of them are working well. The crisis in only in Ogun chapter and it seems he (Kashamu) is the one fueling it,” Makarfi said at the party’s secretariat while inaugurating the party’s caretaker committees for Osun and Adamawa states.

    Mr. Ishola Sarafadeen was appointed the caretaker committee chairman for Osun, while Alhaji Mohamned Imam emerged as caretaker committee chairman for the Adamawa chapter.

    The party chairman said: “From now on, going to court on party matters will be seriously resisted by the leadership.

    “Anybody caught doing this or fueling unnecessary crisis in the party will be severely dealt with in line with the constitution of the party.”

    But, Kashamu urged Makarfi to stop threatening him with expulsion from the party.

    Kashamu, in a statement last night, said he has done nothing to warrant being expelled from the party.

    He said: “It is empirical truth that these court judgments existed before your appointment as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of our great party. Also, it is on record that the affected party has written multiple letters to you explaining the facts of the case in anticipation of your being equitable and just. These people have also been writing to the police for necessary protection to prevent any negative decision you might take that could result into anarchy and breakdown of law and order.

     “Unfortunately, you chose to be partisan and unfair to them by dissolving the validly constituted state exco against subsisting judgments and constituted a one-sided caretaker committee populated by 100% of their adversaries – in favour of OGD.”

  • Kashamu to Makarfi: Stop threatening me with expulsion

    Kashamu to Makarfi: Stop threatening me with expulsion

    The senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu, has urged the Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi, to stop threatening him with expulsion from the party.

    Kashamu, in a statement on Wednesday night, said he has done nothing to warrant being expelled from the party.

    He said: “Reference to comments credited to you while inaugurating the caretaker committees for Osun and Adamawa States where you accused me of fueling those who, in defence of their infringed rights, instituted court cases in Ogun State against the party. I am surprised that given your status and particularly the temporary nature of your present position; you are compounding issues instead of being forthright to solve the problems.

    “If you refuse along with your caretaker committee members to do justice by inviting the two sides of a conflict to objectively analyse contending matters ostensibly to find mutually acceptable solution, how can that become my fault?

    “It is empirical truth that these court judgments existed before your appointment as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of our great party. Also, it is on record that the affected party has written multiple letters to you explaining the facts of the case in anticipation of your being equitable and just. These people have also been writing to the police for necessary protection to prevent any negative decision you might take that could result into anarchy and breakdown of law and order.

    “Unfortunately, you chose to be partisan and unfair to them by dissolving the validly constituted state executive against subsisting judgments and constituted a one-sided caretaker committee populated by 100 per cent of their adversaries – in favour of OGD.

    “Mr. Chairman, you seem to be asking and expecting from me that which I have no powers to do. Those you have sidelined, though political allies of mine, are eminent political leaders and important personalities in their own rights. They cannot easily be suppressed and coerced into concurrence of obvious rights abuse without reactions.

    “It is worse when it is an open secret as we all know that all these manipulations in the mould of reconciliation are meant to create loyal South West executive for your presidential ambition.

    “The threat of expelling me and others perceived not to fall in line with executive created for your presidential agenda has become topical in the party. If you unjustly expel us from the party, you cannot expel us from the hearts of our people. Certainly, you cannot also expel us from the courts as bonafide Nigerians and law abiding citizens.”

     

  • Kashamu to Makarfi: adhere to the rule of law

    The senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, to adhere to teh rule of law.

    Kashamu, in a letter to Makarfi yesterday, said it was wrong to hold the convention “despite the avalanche of disobedience of court orders during your planning of the last convention with the attending vicissitudes such illegal actions have created”.

    The senator said: “Could it be that, unknown to me, the PDP National caretaker committee has assumed appellate jurisdiction over Nigerian high courts? In fact, I wish to also think that you’re not deliberating working with your caretaker members to destroy the PDP in the Southwest and particularly Ogun State. Otherwise, one is left to wonder why ordinarily easy and righteous reconcillatory steps are difficult for you to take. Rather, you increasingly complicated the matters for no logical reasons other than extreme self interests and parochial repayments for support of your stand, or lack of same; during your National leadership tussle with Sheriff. Even if you’re to be egocentric, though that’s unfortunate; must it be this total as to disregard and seek to deliberately circumvent the rule of law and possibly destroy the party in the whole of the Southwest zone?”

    Kashamu went on: “ Mr Chairman of PDP National caretaker committee; I’m not against you!!! It’s your leadership which is suffocating the truth and legitimate rights of teeming party men in the SW and particularly Ogun state that makes me often to be advising you. These actions of yours could lead to chaos and breakdown of law and order in the SW if care is not taken and  luckily, by God’s providence, the injured parties chose to be law abiding by resorting to the courts instead of resorting to self help. Prior to the last convention, orders of court were served on you and the National caretaker committee to ensure that the authentic delegates from the Southwest as well as from Ogun State be allowed to participate. I appealed to you personally that you should obey the court orders to which you gave me your words to respect by being law abiding.

    “Also those interested in the enforcement of their rights via the court orders wrote you and further sent emissaries to you for adherence to law, but you chose to disobey these subsisting orders. Not satisfied with the avoidable contempt of court, your caretaker committee lied to the NEC and subsequently misdirected the said convention which was constituted in disenfranchised rights of authentic delegates into taking illegal decisions.”

  • Makarfi bars PDP caretaker officials from seeking elective positions

    Makarfi bars PDP caretaker officials from seeking elective positions

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahemed Makarfi, on Wednesday barred caretaker committee members from seeking elective party positions in their various states.

    Makarfi issued the restraining order in Abuja while inaugurating the party’s caretaker committees for Lagos and Kwara States.

    Mr. Tunde Osolake was announced as the chairman of the caretaker committee in Lagos, while Mr. Tunde Akindehin will lead the party in Kwara State.

    “Seeking party elective offices while serving as caretaker committee members could confer undue advantage and lead to conflict of interests among such aspirants,” he said.

    The chairman had similarly barred himself and other members of his committee from seeking any of the elective party positions at the national level in the forthcoming national convention.

    He enjoined the newly inaugurated caretaker committee members to be guided by the principles of fairness, mutual accommodation and the knowledge that power comes only from God.

    “Power comes from God. In whatever we do, let us be guided by this singular knowledge. You can’t be too smart for God. You can’t be too rich or too poor. You must always have mutual accommodation for one another. This guiding principle will make it easier for us to live with one another,” Makarfi added.

  • Democracy needs vibrant, responsible opposition – Buhari

    Democracy needs vibrant, responsible opposition – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday that democracy needs vibrant and responsible opposition to survive.

    At a meeting with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, Buhari said in a multi-party democracy, opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism.

    The President said: “Multi-party democracy is a very tried and tested form of government. Opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism. Democracy needs opposition, one that is vibrant but responsible.

    “I am very pleased to see you assembled here all shades of opinion in Nigeria. Please convey to our countrymen and women in your respective states my deep gratitude to all those who prayed for my recovery.”

    Buhari enjoined all Nigerians to continue praying for peace and prosperity in the country.

    In his remarks, the PDP National Caretaker Committee   Chairman,  Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, said the opposition would always support the administration in all areas that are of benefit to the people.

    According to him, PDP would continue to play the role of responsible opposition “energetically, vibrantly, but very decently and with all sense of responsibility.”

    “We assure you of our cooperation as much as the opposition can possibly give to enable you give your best in the process of navigating the ship of our state into a better tomorrow.

    “We are glad to note that already the legislators of our party are cooperating with those of the majority party in both arms of the National Assembly to ensure a smooth legislative sail for the system.

    “We are also proud of the contributions of our governors to the deliberations and other activities of both the National Council of State and the National Economic Council,” Makarfi stated.

    He said the PDP would continue to support the fight against terrorism as well as other crimes like kidnapping, banditry and farmers/herdsmen clashes.

    “We also offer our support for the fight against corruption and appeal that the institutions saddled with this onerous task be given the necessary encouragement and independence to do the right thing.

    “There is no way we can have a respectable voice in the comity of civilized nations until we rebuild our institutions and imbue them with the necessary independence and confidence that will improve both their visage and standing with the citizenry,’’ he added.

    The APC chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, described the meeting as a welcome development, saying the APC would continue to promote harmonious political environment in the country.

    The meeting with the leaderships of the APC and PDP was the first since President Buhari assumed office on May 29, 2015.

    NAN