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Tag: Muazu

  • Akpabio backs Jonathan for 2015

    Akpabio backs Jonathan for 2015

    … We will poach from APC – Mu’azu

    The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday pledged his support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid and called on the President to declare his intention to run without further delay.
    With the call, Akpabio, regarded in party circles as one of the President’s die hard supporters, appeared to have belled the cat on Jonathan’s re-election bid.
    Akpabio’s call is coming on the heels of a resolve by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to poach prominent members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to counter the gale of defections from the ruling party to the opposition.
    The Akwa Ibom governor promised to deliver to the President all the delegate votes from his state, just like he did during the party’s 2011 presidential nominations.
    “We did it in 2011 and I assure Mr. President that Akwa Ibom will do it again. We were the first set in 2010 to announce our support for him to go for his first tenure in 2011.
    “We did that and other states followed. We are again the first state in 2014 to urge Mr. President to go back for a second term in office.
    “We are a monolithic group in Akwa Ibom, although you may have one or two people who want to test the political waters here and there,” he added.
    Although the President has yet to openly declare his interest in the race, his body language over time, has continued to reinforce the general belief and suspicion among party chieftains that he might be scheming for the 2015 presidential ticket of his party.
    The sustained scheming by the President’s close aides and loyalists for the party’s ticket ahead of the 2015 poll was one of the factors that sparked the lingering crisis in the ruling party.
    The crisis has led to a gale of defections, with five serving governors and a number of federal legislators elected on the platform of the PDP crossing to the APC last November.
    The five Governors are – Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara).
    37 PDP members in the House of Representatives had, in late December, also defected to the APC.
    No fewer than 17 serving senators of the ruling party are also waiting to join the defection train.

  • Muazu to Amaechi, others: Come back to PDP

    Muazu to Amaechi, others: Come back to PDP

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Muazu, has pleaded with the five governors and other party chieftains that defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to come back to the ruling party.

    The governors are – Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara).

    Muazu made the appeal at the party secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday when the Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido paid him a courtesy visit.

    The party chairman said indeed, the immediate past leadership of the party offended many of the defectors through its actions and inactions, promising that their grievances would be addressed by the new leadership.

    Muazu hinted that his first task would be to set up a genuine reconciliation committee to address the grievances of members across the nation, observing that those that defected could not have done so just for the fond of it.

    He said, “We are going to look at the various events and actions that were taken in the recent past. Whatever injustice done to members would be corrected. We will apologise to those the party offended.”

    He pleaded with Lamido to help reach out to the five governors before the envisaged reconciliation committee comes on stream, saying that being a member of the “rebel” G-7 Governors, Lamido should be able to influence the five governors.

    Muazu pleaded with the five governors and other chieftains that left the party to reflect on what they had benefitted under the platform of the party, assuring that the PDP would not foist a culture of impunity under his watch.

    Speaking earlier, Lamido was unflattering in his comments on the leadership of the PDP under Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, saying Tukur’s era was divisive and vindictive.

    “I hold nothing against Alhaji Tukur because I respect him as my elder. But one cannot be happy seeing party members being suspended and chased away by the leadership.

    “The PDP failed under the last leadership. If Governors and National Assembly members were leaving and you said you were not worried, then you should know that something is wrong with you.

    “Many of our members were unjustly insulted, humiliated and abandoned by the immediate past leadership of the party. The G-7 Governors were made to feel unwanted, pained and traumatized,” Lamido said.

     

  • Mu’azu’s exit may slow down PenCom

    Mu’azu’s exit may slow down PenCom

    here are uncertainties over the direction of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) following the withdrawal of its newly appointed Chairman Adamu Mua’zu by President Goodluck Jonathan to head the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Senate had in December confirmed the appointment of the former Governor of Bauchi State as chairman of the Commission and Acting Director-General (DG), PenCom, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu (Southeast).

    Other commissioners also appointed were Omotowa Gilbert (Northcentral); Mohammed Abubakar (Northwest) and Adesojo Olaoba-Efuntayo (Southwest).

    Expectations were high that events will pick up this year following the appointment of Mu’azu and the commissioners .

    The Nation investigation revealed that the newly appointed commissioners were getting set for their inauguration this week before the announcement of Mu’azu as PDP Chairman.

    The commissioners were also to unveil their work plan for the year after their inauguration.

    Another shocker in the Commission stable is the speculation that President Jonathan has okayed the appointment of Mrs. Nellie Mayshak from the Southsouth geo-political zone as the chief executive of the commission. This would bring to an end the protest that followed the appointment of Mrs Anohu-Amazu as a substantive DG of PENCOM. Mrs. Anohu-Amazu still has some years to notch-up before she could assume the headship of PenCom.

    The delay in the appoint a substantive chief executive for PenCom following the expiration of the tenure of the pioneer DG of the commission, Mr. Ahmad Muhammed in December 2012, has also stalled the implementation of many of PenCom’s programme, as there has not being a board in place.

    The young pension industry, which boosts of over N3.7 trillion pension contributions has witnessed a lull. The pending Pension Bill at the National Assembly is also making it difficult for the commission to function properly.

    Officials of the commission who spoke with The Nation on condition of anonymity, who were in high hopes that activities would fully kick off as at Monday morning were, however, jolted by the news before noon.

    One official said: “The commissioners will be inaugurated before Friday and they are ready with their work plan which they will disclose after their inauguration.

    “We are expectant that activities will pick up soon once they disclose their work plan.” This is not to be again.

  • Mu’azu will unite PDP, say Tukur, Abba Aji

    The erstwhile National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly, Senator Mohammed Abba Aji, have expressed the confidence that the new party chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, will unite the dissenting groups within the party.

    In a statement he issued on Tuesday, Tukur said Mu’azu’s emergence as party chairman was a clear manifestation of his unique leadership qualities, visionary and purposeful disposition as well as his immeasurable contributions to the growth of the PDP.

    He said, “This new appointment is a call to serve your fatherland, which bestows great responsibility on your shoulders.

    “I am confident that you will not only discharge your duties effectively, but will leave an indelible mark in the area of rebuilding the party in line with the transformation agenda of Mr. President.

    “It is my sincere prayer that the Almighty Allah will endow you with wisdom to bring these positive and result-oriented qualities to bear as you assume the leadership of our great party.”

    In a separate statement, Abba Aji described Mu’azu as a team player and insightful personality, stressing that the new party chairman was a natural choice for the job.

    He added that with Mu’azu in charge, the PDP will witness a phenomenal turn around from its dwindling fortunes, saying that a good number of party chieftains who defected to the opposition will be glad to come back.

     

  • PDP crisis storm in tea cup – Mu’azu

    PDP crisis storm in tea cup – Mu’azu

    The newly selected national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Muazu, on Monday attempted to trivilise the festering crisis in the ruling party, saying it’s a storm in a tea cup.

    In his acceptance speech shortly after he was unveiled as the new party chairman, Muazu said with his selection, the PDP had proven to the world that it had discovered an instant cure for what looked like a terminal disease afflicting the party.

    In another breath however, Muazu admitted that all is not well with the ruling party, adding that any political party of the size of the PDP is bound to face challenges from time to time.

    He said, “I have helplessly watched the dwindling fortunes of our party from 2003 to date. From controlling a record 28 states in 1999 to 23 states currently.

    “This situation is unacceptable and must change. I do not claim to have the monopoly of wisdom to turn around the dwindling fortunes of the PDP. The party will regain its lost glory in record time and remain the toast of the Nigerian people once again.

    “In this connection, in the coming weeks and months, we will engage in sweeping reforms in the administration of the party to bring it in tandem with global best practices.

    “We will do everything possible to ensure the supremacy of the party under my chairmanship. In this connection, I will plead and appeal to the Executive Governors who have tremendous roles to play to join hands with me in ensuring the actualisation of the supremacy of the party.

    “The supremacy of the party will guarantee internal party discipline, credibility and electoral victories. We therefore cannot compromise on these.”

    Muazu’s emergence was sequel to a motion moved by the Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda.

    Yuguda succeeded Muazu as Governor of Bauchi State in 2007, after a two-term tenure of eight years.

    The motion was seconded by Senate Majority Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, consequent upon which the meeting unanimously approved his selection.

    Yuguda, however, admitted that there was indeed friction between him and Muazu, saying they have since resolved their differences, as they have been friends from childhood.

    He described Muazu as a very intelligent, healthy and strong young man who has what it takes to reposition the party and resolve the lingering crisis in the party.

    “We know what is between us. I want to assure everyone here that Muazu is my friend and brother,” Yuguda said.

     

     

     

  • Muazu, Umar, Gambo, Adamu, Waziri in the race for party chair

    Muazu, Umar, Gambo, Adamu, Waziri in the race for party chair

    Six names are on the cards as the battle to succeed Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who quit as Peoples democratic Party (PDP) chairman yesterday , hots up.

    The President’s men, it was gathered last night, are tinkering with the list, to pick the most ‘politically’ eligible of the lot.

    They are the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar(Gombe State); former Governor Adamu Muazu (Bauchi), a former member of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Wakil (Borno), former National Chairman of the Grassroots Democratic Movement(GDM) Alhaji Gambo Lawan(Borno); former Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) President Ambassador Hassan Adamu(Wakilin Adamawa) from Adamawa State and former Minister of Commerce Ambassador Idris Waziri(Taraba).

    Three groups, it was learnt, have emerged on the search for Tukur’s successor.

    They are the President’s Strategy Team (PST) being coordinated by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson; a group being led by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and the Board of Trustee (BoT) leaders/ PDP Governors Forum headed by Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    The groups have not been able to reach a consensus on the choice of national chairman, a decision which PDP’s National Executive Committee(NEC) has deferred till Monday.

    It was learnt that the Dickson-led PST met yesterday for hours to consider which of the candidates will be most suited for the job.

    The PST, it was gathered, has drawn up seven criteria, which are hinged on the prospective chairman’s ability to deliver the party’s ticket to President Jonathan.

    The criteria are:

    •Being a committed democrat and team player

    •Rich experience in politics and party administration

    •Ability to reconcile aggrieved members of the party

    •Readiness to reorder PDP for electoral victory in 2015 in at least 25 to 28 states

    •A good listener who will have respect for all organs of the party

    •Must be a political asset and not a liability to PDP

    •A candidate who will ensure free and fair primaries

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The search for a new chairman actually started on Wednesday morning when Tukur’s exit became inevitable. I can tell you that we have six candidates so far but the list is inexhaustible due to ongoing permutations.

    “With Tukur in charge, the President’s strategists had taken the second term ticket of Jonathan for granted. But his exit has left this flank open and it has become important to be strategic before the new National Chairman is hijacked by vested interests.

    “This is why Governor Seriake Dickson is leading the strategy team to ensure that all is tactically okay for the President. The team is very strong on Mohammed Wakil.

    “ The First Lady and some National Executive Committee (NEC) members are, however, working on Idris Umar because he is less controversial out of the six.

    “For instance, the choice of Muazu will upset Governor Isa Yuguda and some stakeholders in Bauchi. And there is no point creating crisis in any state again. There is still a cold war between Yuguda and Muazu.

    “The strategists of the President are uncomfortable with Muazu, who is an in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. It is like handing over the party to Atiku. They cannot take such a risk.

    “As for Mohammed Wakil, apart from being a former member of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003, he has no solid political base because Borno belongs to the opposition. He has limited political clout to win mileage for PDP in 2015.

    “The strategists believe that a PDP National Chairman must have a strong political base. Although Wakil is loved by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State( a loyalist of the President), some PDP leaders said the choice of PDP National Chairman must not be personalised.

    “Regarding the Minister, he is rated as a loyal and contented party man. He was the anointed governorship candidate of the party for Gombe State in 2011 but he was denied the ticket at the last minute. Yet, he accepted his fate and worked with Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.

    “His sincerity, patience and political maturity earned him a ministerial slot. The thinking of the First Lady and some PDP leaders is that he can succeed Tukur.

    “The Minister’s only challenge was his pro-Jonathan 2015 project which landed him in trouble recently when he bought many cars running into millions of naira. There had been pressure on the Minister to account for the fortunes he is spending on the campaign in Gombe State.

    “It is left to NEC to decide who to pick among the six. Horse-trading will continue throughout the weekend.”

    Some BoT members, it was learnt, are pushing for Gambo Lawan, Ambassador Hassan Adamu, and ex-Minister Idris Waziri who was present at the 80th birthday celebration of BoT Chairman Chief Tony Anenih for what a source described as “essentially tactical.”

    Another source added: “The position of some BoT members is that Lawan and Adamu had been tested as administrators either in politics or public office. Lawan was also one of those who contested against Tukur. Adamu’s setback may be his old age and strict disciplinary culture which may not be acceptable to the hawks in PDP.

    “Ex-Minister Idris Waziri is rated as brilliant, intelligent and a peace-building figure. The fears about him have to do with the fact that he served under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has mutual respect for him.”

    A member of the NWC, who played a key role in the ouster of Tukur, said: “By Sunday, we will know who will be the next National Chairman of the party. It is too early for me to tell you now because consultations and horse-trading are ongoing.

    “We are looking at all the candidates that have been thrown up by the North-East. We will screen all of them thoroughly to avoid any slip this time around”.

  • Nigeria will accept deportee’s plane

    Nigeria says it has given permission for a plane to land in the country should the Home Office try again to deport a failed asylum seeker.

    Isa Muazu was returned to the UK after a private jet chartered to take him to Nigeria on Friday was turned back.

    According to officials the relevant documents for the flight had not been completed.

    Mr Muazu, on hunger strike for more than 100 days, has said he fears being killed by Islamic extremists.

    A spokesman for Nigeria’s aviation ministry told the BBC that permission had now been granted for a privately chartered jet carrying Mr Muazu to land in Nigeria, although he said it was not clear if any flight was imminent.

    The Home Office has rejected Mr Muazu’s arguments and attempted to deport the 45-year-old on Friday after he lost a series of legal challenges.

    He has been detained since claiming asylum in July, saying he faced persecution from the militant Islamic group Boko Haram.

    Mr Muazu entered the UK on a visitor’s visa in July 2007 and stayed without permission after it expired in January 2008.

    It is believed he then found work in south-east London and was detained on the day he claimed asylum, 25 July of this year.

    Duncan Lewis Solicitors, representing Mr Muazu, said his case was then fast-tracked and his application rejected in August.

    The firm said he had made himself “seriously ill” in his protest, adding: “His hunger strike lasted for over 100 days”.

    A claim that his detention was unlawful was rejected by the Court of Appeal on 25 November, and two last-minute appeals were also refused, his lawyers said.

    Labour believes the government has questions to answer over the case.

    After the plane was prevented from landing in Nigeria, Shadow Immigration Minister David Hanson said: “Deportations should be carried out with competence and humanity – neither of those things seems to have happened in this case”.

    Mr Muazu’s lawyers say he has returned to the medical wing at Harmondsworth detention centre near Heathrow.

    The Nigerian is 5ft 11in (1.8m) tall, weighs eight stone (53kg) and has described himself as “looking like a skeleton”, his lawyers have said.

    He has said that he came to the UK “for a better life” and would “rather die” than face removal

  • Atiku’s son, Muazu’s daughter in jaw-dropping wedding

    Atiku’s son, Muazu’s daughter in jaw-dropping wedding

    The eaves of Bauchi creaked with excitement and merriment as Mohammed, son former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, walked down the aisle with his sweetheart, Malama Badariya, daughter of former Bauchi State Governor, Adamu Muazu. Gales of gaiety enveloped the reception hall of the Emir of Bauchi’s palace where the ceremony took place. That also was where they had their wedding reception with the creme of Nigeria society in attendance.

    Mohammed paid N1 million and gave the bride’s family a brand new car as bride price, setting a new record in bride price payment. The jaw-dropping wedding was attended by the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Niger State Governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu; Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo; former Taraba State Governor, Rev. Jolly Nyame and Kano State Governor, Musa Kwankwaso.

    Also at the wedding were former heads of state, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar and Gen. Muhammad Buhari, as well as many other prominent Nigerians. Mohammed and Malama couldn’t have had a better wedding. They have since taken off on their honey moon.