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Tag: Muazu

  • 2015: Stop dropping Jonathan’s, Mu’azu’s names, Ogun PDP tells Bankole

    2015: Stop dropping Jonathan’s, Mu’azu’s names, Ogun PDP tells Bankole

    Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Forum of Local Government Chairmen in the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned aspirants and their backers against name-dropping.

    The forum spoke against the backdrop of the outbursts of Chief Alani Bankole, the father of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, who stormed a recent meeting of the forum where he boasted that President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of our great party, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, asked his son to join the governorship race, adding that they had promised to give him an automatic ticket.

    In a statement issued yesterday and signed by the Chairman of the PDP in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area and Chairman of the forum, Hon. Kehinde Sofenwa, the group said, “The elder Bankole’s conduct is unbecoming of an elder and a democrat. We urge him and his son to follow the due process and not seek to usurp constituted authority.”

    The statement reads in part: “We recall that some months ago, they were going about to say that the President and the National Chairman had assured them that the authentic and legally constituted state exco of our party would be dissolved. But till date, nothing of such has happened. Rather, the party, under the leadership of our able Chairman, Engr. Adebayo Dayo, is waxing stronger.

    “Much as we shudder to think if it is the younger Bankole that is in the race or the father, we wish to state without mincing words that all these are unfounded. They have no basis in fact and in reality.

    “If anything, his comments showed clearly that he has not been in touch with the party in the state. Otherwise, he would have known that the party has been restructured from the ward, local government and state levels, such that its structures are in the firm control of the respective leaders and elders.

    “The days when one powerful man sits in the comfort of his bedroom to determine what happens elsewhere are gone for good. That was what was ably demonstrated with the primary election in Ekiti State.

    “On the purported assurances they claimed to have got from the President and National Chairman, our simple reaction is that we are not deceived. We do not need anyone to tell us that our amiable President and the cool-headed National Chairman are sticklers for due process and respecters of the rule of law.

    “They have shown time and again that they would never lend themselves to lawlessness and illegalities. Having seen the gains of a free and transparent primary, as exemplified in the Ekiti election, they cannot afford to reverse the gains. We wager that a thousand Bankoles cannot change that.

    “We advise the Bankoles to come down from their high horses of living in the past and face the reality on ground. This is even more so that his four years’ reign as Speaker had no positive bearing on the lives of the people of Ogun State. If they are intent on salvaging whatever is left of their political careers, they should join hands with other leaders, elders and members of the party and work for it. They should know that when they literally decided to play Nero while Rome burnt, some people stayed back and worked to keep the party together. The question is: if everybody had abandoned the party like they did, would there be a platform that they now seek to impose themselves on?

    “We recall with nostalgia his membership of the infamous cabal which frustrated the then Acting President Goodluck Jonathan from assuming office as the substantive President. We also recall that upon his losing his re-election bid (he could not win one local government area  which makes up his Abeokuta South Federal Constituency), he colluded with the opposition to deny the South West the Speakership of the House of Representatives that was zoned to it.

    At press time, Chief Bankole could not be reached for comment.

  • Aliyu accuses opposition of buying votes

    Aliyu accuses opposition of buying votes

    Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has accused members of the opposition of financially inducing voters.

    He advised electorate not to sell their votes or compromise their position.

    The governor spoke when a delegation from Magama Local Government Area visited him.

    He cautioned the people, saying if they succumb to such antics they would be compromising the future of their children and development of the state.

    Aliyu said the PDP will not embark on the illegal act of inducing voters or buying their votes, adding that the party’s performance is enough to endear it to the electorate in 2015.

    The governor said the administration will continue to judiciously use all the financial resources available to improve the people’s lives.

    The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jonathan Vatsa, said the governor was unfair to the opposition.

    He said only the ruling party has funds to buy voters.

    Vatsa said the governor was making a self confession of what the PDP has been doing in the past elections.

     “The PDP is afraid of the imminent electoral doom in 2015, hence the callous allegation. PDP is guilty of the allegation.

    “The governor knows that we don’t have that kind of money. In the last 15 years, PDP has been controlling the vault. It is the only party that can boast of such idle funds.

    “What we are proud of is the goodwill among the people. It (PDP) has  seen this and is threatened by the rise and acceptability of the opposition. It now has to resort to blackmail.”

  • Why Gulak was sacked, by Mu’azu

    Why Gulak was sacked, by Mu’azu

    President Goodluck Jonathan’s erstwhile political adviser Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, was sacked for his arrogance and irrational disposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Adamu Mu’azu said yesterday.

    Mu’azu spoke in Abuja while hosting some members of the Akwa Ibom State PDP executive committee.

    The party chair said he had agreed with the President that there would be no room for arrogant officials in the cabinet, adding that they must remain focused and committed to retain their positions.

    Gulak was sacked on Tuesday without the Presidency stating reasons for the action. Gulak was in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, last week to inaugurate the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) with a faction of the PDP.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio objected to Gulak’s action, saying he was not informed of the visit by the ex-presidential aide. The governor also protested that Gulak met with party chieftains who were opposed to his administration.

    He urged the President to punish Gulak.

    Mu’azu told the delegation that no contestant for a political office would be given automatic ticket, stressing that he was in no position to help anybody secure automatic ticket.

    The chairman of Akwa Ibom PDP, Chief Paul Ekpo, had earlier sought the party’s endorsement of the decision of the state’s chapter to pick the governorship candidate from the Eket Senatorial District.

    The state chapter of the party has been polarised by Akpabio’s decision to zone the 2015 governorship ticket to the Eket Senatorial District.

  • Why Gulak was sacked – Mu’azu

    Why Gulak was sacked – Mu’azu

    The erstwhile Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, was sacked for his arrogance and alleged irrational disposition, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has said.
    Mu’azu spoke in Abuja on Wednesday while playing host to selected members of the Akwa Ibom State executive committee of the PDP.
    The party chairman said he had agreed with the President that there would be no room for arrogant officials in the federal cabinet, adding that they must remain focused and committed to retain their positions in the cabinet.
    Gulak was sacked by President Jonathan on Tuesday without the Presidency stating reasons for the action.
    Gulak had gone to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital last week to inaugurate the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) with a faction of the PDP in the state.
    Governor Godswill Akpabio had raised objections to Gulak’s actions, saying he was not informed of the visit by the ex presidential aide. The governor also protested that Gulak met with party chieftains who were opposed to his administration.
    He had called on the President to punish Gulak for allegedly undermining him by coming to inaugurate the GSG without involving him and his supporters.
    Mu’azu told the delegation from Akwa Ibom that no contestant for political office would be given automatic ticket, stressing that he was in no position to help anybody secure automatic ticket.

  • Mu’azu predicts tough election in Osun

    Mu’azu predicts tough election in Osun

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu has predicted a tough contest between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP in the August 9 governorship poll in Osun State.

    Mu’azu spoke yesterday at the PDP’s National Secretariat in Abuja while presenting the party’s certificate of return to the PDP’s candidate in the election, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

    Addressing Omisore, he said: “The election before you is not a joke. The task ahead is not an easy one, but you are a man and not a small boy. You have what it takes to win the election. You have to reconcile with aggrieved party members to make the job easier.”

    Omisore said the PDP family in Osun was not divided would win the election.

    Reacting to former Governor Isiaka Adeleke’s withdrawal from the race a day to the party’s primary, Omisore said disagreements arising from such contests were inevitable.

    He said the party provided a level playing ground for all aspirants, adding that the primary election was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Omisore restated his call for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Oluwatoyin Akeju, accusing him of partisanship.

    He said: “We are already in court to challenge the retention of Akeju as REC and we will do everything possible to resist his retention.”

  • PDP governors, Mua’zu: we’ll takeover Ekiti, Osun

    PDP governors, Mua’zu: we’ll takeover Ekiti, Osun

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum said yesterday that its party will win Ekiti and Osun states at the June 21 and August 9 governorship polls.

    PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu also spoke in the same vein.

    In a statement after the governors’ meeting in Dutse, Jigawa State, read by the forum’s Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, the governors congratulated the party’s candidates, former Governor Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Senator Iyiola Omisore (Osun).

    The governors said the party would do everything within the law to reclaim both states and others in next year’s general elections.

    They said: “We urge the candidates to embrace the aspirants that contested with them for the success of the party. We felicitate with the PDP on the victory at the High Court on the defection of 37 law makers, which is a victory for the rule of law.”

    The forum condemned killings and the destruction of properties by insurgents in the north.

    It urged Northern governors to meet with leaders of the Fulani and other affected communities to find a lasting solution to the problem.

    The PDP governors hailed security agencies on the fight against insurgency, urging them to ignore criticisms from the opposition.

    Fifteen governors and three deputy governors attended the meeting.

    Muazu, who also attended the meeting, reaffirmed his party’s commitment to retrieve the five states, whose governors dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Speaking with reporters, he said: “PDP will recapture Kano, Rivers, Sokoto, Adamawa and Kwara without serious challenge.”

    He said the party was confident of winning Ekiti and Osun states, adding that the PDP has performed well in the states it controls.

  • PDP governors, Mua’zu: We’ll takeover Ekiti, Osun

    PDP governors, Mua’zu: We’ll takeover Ekiti, Osun

    The People Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum Wednesday vowed to back the party’s takeover of government in Ekiti and Osun states. Governorship elections are due in Ekiti on June 21 and in Osun in August.

    PDP National chairman Adamu Mu’azu also spoke in the same vein.

    The governors spoke through a communique read by the forum chairman and Akwa Ibom Governor Goodwill Akpabio at the end of their meeting in Dutse, Jigawa state yesterday.

    The PDP Governors forum congratulated the party’s candidates, Mr Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Iyiola Omisore (Osun).

    Akpabio said the party would do everything democratically, within the law, to reclaim the two states and the others in next year’s general elections.

    Akpabio said: “We are also appealing to the candidates that emerged to embrace the aspirants that contested with them for the success of the party.   “We felicitate with the PDP over the victory at the high court on the defection of 37 law makers and it is a victory for the rule of law,” he said.

    The forum condemned the All Progressive Congress (APC) for its criticism of the outcome of the judgment.

    It also condemned the new form of killing of the innocent people and destruction of property by insurgents who are parading themselves as Fulani herdsmen.

    The meeting urged northern governors to convene a meeting with leaders of Fulani and community leaders of the affected states to discuss and find a lasting solution to the problem.

    They also commended the effort of the military and all security agencies in their fight against insurgency and urge them to ignored the baseless and mischievous criticism from the opposition party which is aims at deterring them from doing their job of providing peace and security in the country.

    Fifteen governors and three deputy governors attended the meeting.

    Muazu, speaking to reporters after attending the meeting reaffirmed his party’s commitment to retrieve the five states in which their governors dumped the party for the opposition APC.

    “People Democratic Party (PDP) will recapture Kano, Rivers, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kwara without a serious challenge.”

    He said, the party is confident of winning Ekiti and Osun states.

    Mu’azu said the PDP had made an outstanding performance in all the states it controls.

    According to him “The kind of transformation and good governance exhibited by PDP governors in their states, including executing capital projects like state University, Airport as well as small projects and programmes can only be found there, while other party has nothing to show in their states.”

    He then called on Nigerians to consider what PDP done across the country as a basis to re-elect the party at all levels in the forthcoming general election.

    Mu’azu also commended the party members and leaders for the kind of maturity and tolerance they are displaying which has paved ways for the party to reconcile all the aggrieved  members and overcome the challenges  militating against the party.

  • Mu’azu, Na’Abba, 490 others for national conference

    Mu’azu, Na’Abba, 490 others for national conference

    Eminent Nigerians – most of who, have been part of the leadership of the country since independence – were yesterday named by the Federal Government among the 492 delegates to the National Conference.

    The conference will now be inaugurated on March 17 as opposed to Monday’s planned inauguration. It is to last for three months.

    The leaders of the conference –Justice Idris Kutigi (Chairman) Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi (Vice Chairman) and Dr. Mrs Valerie Azinge (Secretary) resumed yesterday.

    They were taken by Secretary to the Government of The Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim to a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa. Details of the meeting were not revealed.

    Also yesterday, three assistant secretaries to supervise different departments at the secretariat were named.

    A statement by Anyim said:”The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Eblele Jonathan, has approved the appointments of three Assistant Secretaries to serve in the National Conference Secretariat; they are as follows: Dr. Akilu Ndabawa as Assistant Secretary, Conference Proceedings, Prof Mahmood Yakubu as Assistant Secretary, Finance and Administration and Mr. Akpandem James as Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications”

    “The President has also approved the release of the names of the 492 delegates to the National Conference as attached.”

    “The National Conference shall be inaugurated on Monday 17th March, 2014 at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja at 11:00 am.

    James is the immediate past former managing Editor of Daily Independent.

    Among those on the list are elder statesmen, former public office holders, activists, politicians, clerics, traditional rulers, members of the academia, youths, students, retired justices and judges, industrialists and other categories of people.

    They include: former Ogun State Governor Chief Segun Osoba, former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, former House of Representatives Speaker Ghali Na’Abba. The list is on page 62.

  • Jonathan, Mu’azu to visit Ilorin on Monday

    Jonathan, Mu’azu to visit Ilorin on Monday

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State is awaiting the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu to the state on Monday.

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP in the state, Solomon Edoga, disclosed this to reporters in Ilorin, the state capital yesterday.

    He said the existing Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASSA) law would not prevent the party from mounting billboards bearingt the photographs of the President and the PDP National Chairman in different parts of the state because the party in the state enjoys a good relationship with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said: “The government has cooperated so far and I believe the governor will be there that day to welcome the President.

    “You will recall that we wrote to the state government and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has graciously approved the use of the Metropolitan Square.

    “Our relationship with the various government agencies and parastatals has been very wonderful and they are willing to do whatever is possible to ensure the success of the presidential visit.

    “I have met personally with the DG KWASSA and he assured that presidential visit is unique. It is one opportunity in a life’s time and that the billboards and photographs of Mr. President will not be touched.

    “We are also willing to cooperate and extend fellowship and fraternity to KWASSA.”

    He, however, warned anyone planning to pull down PDP’s billboards ahead of the presidential visit to have a rethink.

    He said: “Mr. President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His constituency includes Kwara State. But I am made to understand that some persons are toying with our billboards.

    “Let me warn that no man can touch the billboard of the President. Any attempt by any individual or groups, by whatever name, or organs of government to tamper with the photographs of Mr. President, or to deface them or render them useless will be visited with appropriate action, because for me that amounts to treason. It amounts to plotting a coup against the President. We will not allow that to happen.”

  • Jonathan, Mu’azu visit Kwara Monday

    Jonathan, Mu’azu visit Kwara Monday

    The Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State has concluded arrangement to welcome President Goodluck Jonathan and the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to the state on Monday.

    The party added that its relationship with the All Progressives Congress -led government in the state has been wonderful.

    The Caretaker Committee chairman of the PDP in the state, Solomon Edoga, who briefed journalists in Ilorin, added that the Kwara state Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASSA) law will not affect mounting of the President and PDP chairman’s photographs in the city.

    He said, “The government has cooperated so far and I believe the governor will be there that day to welcome the President. You will recall we wrote to the state government and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has graciously approved the use of the Metropolitan Square.

    “Our relationship with the various government agencies and parastatals has been very wonderful and they are willing to do whatever that is possible to ensure the success of the presidential visit. I have met personally with the DG KWASSA and he assured that presidential visit is unique. It is one opportunity of a life time and that the billboards, photographs of Mr. President will not be touched. We are also willing to cooperate, extend fellowship and fraternity with KWASSA.”

    He, however, warned those planning to pull down PDP’s billboards ahead of the presidential visit to have a rethink.