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Tag: Nyako

  • Adamawa commissioners for APC

    Adamawa commissioners for APC

    Members of Adamawa Executive Council comprising Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Commissioners and Special Advisers have defected from the PDP to the APC.

    Speaking after a meeting yesterday at the Government House in Yola, the Secretary to the Government, Mr Kobis Thimnu, who spoke on behalf of the state executive council members, said their decision to join the governor to APC was a collective one.

    “We, today, unanimously decided to follow Governor Nyako to APC for good”, Thimnu said.

    He said that members of the executive council had confidence in the governor and his ability to deliver as evident in his transformation programmes in the state.

    “We shall mobilise for APC across the state. In fact, we have established offices in all the 226 wards to ensure the proper entrenchment of the party in Adamawa”, Thimnu said.

    Nyako, thanked them for the decision to join him saying the APC represented justice and fairness.

  • PDP seeks defecting governors’ impeachment

    PDP seeks defecting governors’ impeachment

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced move aimed at unseating five of its former governors, who recently decamped to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    It has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking among others, an order directing the Houses of Assembly in the governors’ states to commence impeachment process against them.

    The affected governors are – Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara).

    Joined in the suit along with the five governors is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party cited Sections 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the Constitution as the basis for which the court could declare the governors ineligible to remain in office as governor having defected to APC.

    The PDP presented five questions for the court’s determination and prayed for six reliefs.

    The reliefs include an order mandating or directing the State Houses of Assembly of Adamawa, Rivers, Sokoto, Kano and Kwara States to commence impeachment proceedings against the 2nd – 6th defendants (the governors) forthwith.

    Other reliefs are listed as follows:

    * A declaration that by the combined provisions of section 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the 2nd – 6th defendants who were elected under the platform of the plaintiff cannot continue to enjoy the mandate given to the plaintiff by the people / electorate of the respective states as the 2nd – 6th defendants have defected to the APC.

    * A declaration that in the absence of any division known and recognized by law in the Plaintiff, the 2nd – 6th defendants who were elected under the plaintiff’s platform have vacated or forfeited their seats forthwith upon their defection to APC.

    * A declaration that having combined provisions of section 87 of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended), section 177 (c), 221 and 222 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the 2nd – 6th Defendants defection from the Plaintiff the APC, the offices of the 2nd – 6th defendants have reverted to the plaintiff.

     

     

  • PDP plots secret legal battle against Amaechi, Nyako, others

    PDP plots secret legal battle against Amaechi, Nyako, others

    Barely five days after the defection of five of its governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is plotting a secret legal battle to declare the seats of the governors vacant.

    Also, the party yesterday hired a 10-man team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to file a case at the Federal High Court on Monday on why the governors should step aside.

    But the five governors said they are ready for the battle against the PDP.

    Those affected are Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara).

    Although there were arguments on whether to include Governors Sule Lamido and Aliyu Babangida in view of their comments and body language, the idea was shelved at the last minute.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the recourse to court was the outcome of tripartite marathon meetings of the PDP leadership, some selected elders of the party and some forces in the presidency between Wednesday and Thursday.

    It was learnt that at the wee hours of the night on Thursday the party, the three groups agreed that there are sufficient legal grounds to move against the governors.

    According to findings, two issues were isolated at the secret meetings to back up PDP moves to unseat the affected governors.

    The issues are the Supreme Court judgment on Amaechi vs PDP and Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Section 221 says: “No association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any candidate at an election.”

    A PDP top source said: “If you go through the decision of the Supreme Court in Amaechi vs PDP, it was expressly declared that parties are voted for at election and not individuals.

    “The position of the PDP is that since the governors have defected to the APC, they can no longer hold our party’s governorship mandate in trust. They have to step aside.

    “This is a major constitutional test for the country, and we are ready to pursue it to the logical conclusion.”

    As part of the secret plot, it was gathered that the PDP might invoke “case stated” principle during the hearing of its application by asking for interpretations from the higher courts to guide the Federal High Court.

    “With the interpretation of Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution and other interpretations from the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the fate of the governors would have been sealed from the lower court,” an other source added.

    As at press time, however, the party has decided to hire a 10-man team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) which would be led by Chief Alex Iziyon (SAN) who is more or less the counsel to the President.

    Others already engaged are Phebian Ajogu (SAN), Austin Alegeh (SAN) and a northern constitutional lawyer said to be familiar with winning such a case.

    The list of seven others was kept under wraps last night because they are yet to extract commitment from them.

    Some of the lawyers met between 9am and 11am yesterday after which they went to stamp some evidence at the National Library.

    But surprisingly, the counsel to the PDP, Mr. J. K. Gadzama (SAN), is not among the lawyers because of what a source described as “his hands are full” in view of many cases involving the party, especially that of the National Secretary of the PDP, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

    It was learnt that during one of the sessions, a PDP chieftain suggested the hiring of a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. J. B. Daodu (SAN) to lend weight to the legal battle.

    It could not be immediately ascertained whether Daodu would accept the offer or not.

    Meanwhile, investigation by our correspondent confirmed that the five governors have got wind of the plot and they have launched a counter-legal attack.

    One of the governors, who spoke in confidence, said: “We know what they are capable of doing, and we are a step ahead of them. We will meet in court. It shows how desperate and mean the PDP could be.

    “We have also studied the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution before we opted to merge the New PDP with the APC.

    “Sections 188 and 189 of the 1999 Constitution are explicit on how a governor can vacate his seat.

    “A governor can be removed by reason of death, resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or removal in accordance with Section 188 or 189 of this Constitution.”

    Section 188 says in part: “The Governor or Deputy Governor of a state may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this section.

    “Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third members of the members of the House of Assembly is (a) presented to the Speaker of the House of Assembly of the state; (b) stating the holder of such office is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified.

    Section 189 reads in part: “The Governor or Deputy Governor of a state shall cease to hold office if (a) by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of all members of the Executive Council of the state, it is declared that the Governor or Deputy Governor is incapable of discharging the functions of his office; and (b) the declaration in paragraph (a) of this sub-section is verified, after such medical examination as may be necessary, by a medical panel established under subsection (4) of this section in its report to the Speaker of the House of Assembly.”

    The governor said if the PDP believes in the rule of law, why did it keep quiet when governors were defecting to it.

    He added: “Let them remove the moth in their eyes before heading for court. Did the Governor of Abia, Theodore Orji, not defect from the PPA to the PDP to earn his second term ticket? Did Orji step aside?

    “He who goes to equity must do so with clean hands. Tell the PDP to practise what it is purportedly claiming to preach. Ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim also defected from the PPA to the PDP and heaven did not fall. Even one of the die-hard loyalists of the President at present, Governor Isa Yuguda, moved from the ANPP to the PDP which was considered a good thing.

  • PDP a lifeless body – Nyako

    PDP a lifeless body – Nyako

    Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State on Thursday said the Peoples Democratic Party may be buried as a lifeless body because of the flagrant abuse of power by its national leadership.

    The governor made the disclosure in Dutse, Jigawa State, while fielding questions from journalists during his visit to the state governor, Sule Lamido.

    He said, “People leave even their religions for another and PDP is not a religion which means leaving it would not be regrettable.

    “There is no regret for us or be accused of deserting a dead body because to me I would not want to be buried with a dead body. So PDP is a dead party and if they feel expelling us from the party is what they desired, so be it.

    “The leadership of the party in Abuja has already given it a terrifying fatal upper-cut like in boxing and to leave a dead body of the already dead PDP is better than be buried with it.”

     

  • Atiku, Aliyu, Nyako plot North’s strategy for 2015

    Atiku, Aliyu, Nyako plot North’s strategy for 2015

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar  and Governors Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and Babangida Aliyu of Niger State were last Friday locked  in a night-long meeting  to strategise on the political fortune of the North ahead of the 2015 elections.

    The meeting held at the Yola residence of Atiku, came a few hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the Kawu Baraje-led faction of the PDP from parading itself as the leadership of the party.

    The three politicians are key members of the Baraje’s faction, which is fiercely opposed to a fresh ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

    The meeting was said to have harped on the need to mobilise the North for the struggle ahead.

    Aliyu appeared to have given vent to this decision yesterday in Yola when he said it is imperative for the North to reclaim its leadership position in the country.

    The governor, who doubles as Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, spoke at the turbanning of Mr. Daniel Bwala as the Talban Adamawa by the Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha.

    The North, he said, should rally behind the former vice president in the struggle.

    His words: “I want to articulate my earlier appeal in Sokoto where I urged you, former Vice President, to help us unify and unite northern brethren to ensure that we have one northern entity devoid of primordial sentiments and differences.”

    He also spoke on the proposed national conference and the crisis in PDP.

    Aliyu said the North is all for the conference and will use it to address issues affecting its people.

    He expressed optimism that the talks will make Nigeria a better country for everyone.

    But he stressed that for the North to benefit from the conference, it will have to send its best eleven, because as he said, there is much at stake.

    He asked the 19 states in the North to select only those who understand the issues at stake and are able to get the best for their people.

    “The North is not afraid of the conference being planned by the Federal Government. We should have nothing to fear because I believe strongly that Nigeria will come out of it a better country that it is today.”

    Aliyu added: “We should therefore embrace the National Conference and send in our first eleven team and avoid dealing with charlatans and people who cannot discuss the issues at stake and bring about the required peace and unity of this country.”

    On the PDP crisis, Aliyu said the group of seven governors is only interested in entrenching true democratic values in the party and ensuring unity and peace in the country.

    He said the PDP crisis was caused by the undemocratic attitude of leaders who placed their personal interests above the collective interest of the nation.

    According to him: “Many people did not understand what transpired when seven of us said we want true democracy to prevail in the ruling party.

    “Whatever happens in PDP will surely affect Nigeria because it is the ruling party and following the drift in the party, we, the concerned members, felt that we must make sacrifices in order to restore equity, justice and fair play in the polity.”

  • Crisis will consume PDP, Nyako warns

    Crisis will consume PDP, Nyako warns

    ADAMAWA State governor, Murtala Nyako, yesterday declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will continue to wallow in crisis until the deluge of injustices currently perpetrated by a factional National Chairman, Alhaji BamangaTukur, is redressed. He warned that the crises will affect the fortunes of the party in elections across the nation.

    Nyako spoke at the Government House Yola when he received a delegation of the new PDP stalwarts from Taraba State led by its chairman, Dr. AbdulmuminiVaki, on a solidarity visit.

    The governor said the current chaotic developments in the party were not unexpected going by the level of impunity and subversion in the party.

    Nyako said: “The level of impunity being promoted has reached a level where 5 is greater than 27 and 16 is greater than 19.

    “Even a kindergarten pupil will tell you that the arithmetic is highly criminalised”.

    Nyako said any party seeking peace and progress cannot tolerate such high level of injustice that has now become the culture in the party.

    “Nigerians cannot tolerate this highhandedness any longer. That is why you are seeing protests from every cranny of the nation and for these complaints to stop.

    He reiterated that the clash in the party was a clash between positive and negative forces that have been on perpetual struggle.

    “The two actors- Tukur and I- are Muslims. This altercation neither has religious nor ethnic coloration.

    “The crisis is between justice and injustice and by the grace Allah justice will prevail at the end of the day.”

    The governor said following the disposition of the national chairman to continue unleashing injustice without let or hindrance, concerned party faithful have no other means than to factionalise to restore sanity and order.

     

  • Tukur, Nyako renew battle as PDP holds convention today

    Tukur, Nyako renew battle as PDP holds convention today

    National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Murtala Nyako of his home state-Adamawa-have taken their battle for the soul of the party in the state to the PDP special national convention opening in Abuja today.

    Each side wants only its own supporters accredited for the convention.

    The dispute was the major challenge facing the party last night ahead of the convention opening.

    But Tukur appeared to have an edge with the party leadership insisting on accrediting delegates identified by Chief Joel Madaki-led faction of the party, which is loyal to the national chairman.

    A member of the interim National Working Committee (INWC) said: “We have made our position known that we will only recognise delegates presented by Joel Madaki Executive Council in Adamawa State .

    “We will not allow any delegate from Minjiyawa Umar Kugama faction to be part of the National Convention.

    “The party is not going to stop statutory delegates from the convention. But other purportedly elected delegates by Kugama faction should forget coming.”

    The national chairman is also said to be insisting on picking those who will work with him in the national executive committee.

    On this, he has the support of the Presidency, although other interests in the party are also insisting on having their elected candidates.

    The most contentious is the position of the National Publicity Secretary which was vacated by Chief Olisa Metuh in June. Metuh is still in the race.

    While the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, is backing Metuh for the job, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State is supporting Obi Madueke for the position.

    Madueke is a brother-in-law to the Minister of Petroleum, Dieziani Allison Madueke. Also in contention is Longers Anyanwu, who is being backed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.

    Other contestants for the position include Chide Ofodile, whose chief backer is billionaire businessman, Sir Emeka Ofor, while another Igbo businessman, Arthur Eze, has thrown his weight behind another aspirant, Mr. Okey Muo Aroh.

    It is also believed that some power brokers in the Presidency are supporting a neutral aspirant, Dr. Katch Ononuju, who is perceived to be free of any influence of the power brokers. Forces in the Presidency are said to be aligned with Tukur on the choice of Ononuju who is highly respected for his intellect and grasp of political issues.

    About 6,000 policemen, security agents, members of the Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have been deployed in and around the Eagle’s Square venue of the convention to ensure a trouble-free gathering.

    No fewer than 3,500 delegates are expected to vote at the convention where 17 national officers will stand for election.

    Delegates will also vote to fill the vacant positions in the National Working Committee (NWC). Occupants of the positions were eased out courtesy of a report by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which voided the process through which they emerged in the 2012 convention.

    The Square was swept by security men ahead of the convention.

    It was also learnt that those arrested in connection with alleged plot to disrupt the convention had been asked to sign an undertaking by security agencies.

    A security source said: “The screening of the venue will continue throughout the night. We are not taking anything for granted at all.

    “I can assure you that with inter-agency cooperation, we will provide tight security for the convention.

    “We are talking of more than 6,000 policemen, security agents, civil defence corps and FRSC for the convention.”

    On alleged plot to disrupt the convention, the source said: “Having identified those behind the threat posters, we have quizzed them and asked them to write undertaking to ensure peace at the convention. We are also keeping them under watch.”

    Delegates are to vote for the vacant positions in the National Working Committee (NWC). Occupants of the positions were eased out courtesy of a report by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which voided the process through which they emerged in the 2012 convention.

    Highlight of the convention is the election of officials to fill certain positions in the national executive committee. he National Caucus of the party on Thursday night recommended that all the six geopolitical zones should come up with consensus candidates to make the poll a formality. However, moves to stop some members of the National Working Committee failed at press time yesterday. Only eight out of the affected 17 officers had been endorsed last night. Those adopted by their geopolitical National Caucus include Prince Uche Secondus (Deputy National Chairman); the Deputy National Secretary, Onwe O. Onwe; the National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon; Buhari Bala (National Treasurer); Abubakar Mustapha (National Organising Secretary); Abdullahi Husseini Maibafira (Youth Leader). A source in the Interim National Working Committee said: “I am aware horse-trading is going on, but our leaders are trying to plead with some contestants to step down for the returnee NWC members. “We have mandated all the six geopolitical caucuses to try to harmonise and adopt consensus candidates for election at the convention. “One of the arguments of the National Caucus was that it is not that these NWC returnees had done anything wrong before we asked them to resign. They were elected for a four-year mandate; the leaders believe they should complete their tenure. “The party merely asked them to resign in compliance with INEC’s demand to ensure a proper conduct of election into some offices. “If these NWC returnees are stopped from coming back to office, we will be laying a bad precedent because PDP members might not obey party’s directive in future if we fall into a similar circumstance.” Responding to a question, the source said: “We are trying to make the election a mere formality. But if some aspirants refuse to step down, we may conduct election into one or two offices at the convention. “So far, it is still a matter of horse-trading.” Screening of the aspirants was ongoing at press time. Chairman of the committee, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba pledged that the committee would ensure fairness in the discharge of its assignment. It was feared last night that the late commencement of the screening might not give enough room for aggrieved aspirants to seek redress. But Ndoma-Egba said the committee would work round the clock before the commencement of voting. Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the Convention Planning Committee and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, said adequate preparations had been made to ensure a hitch-free congress. “There are 146 voting points where delegates will be voting at a time. This is meant to fasten the process of voting. Voting would be concluded on time because it will commence as soon as the President arrives. It is expected to be concluded within three hours, after which sorting would commence.” Ihedioha added that there will be voting to fill every vacant position, to avoid the pitfall of the past where those who won by affirmation in the 2012 convention had heir elections voided by the INEC. The expulsion of former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, by the Rivers PDP was reversed by the national leadership of the party. Jaja described his purported expulsion as an embarrassment to the leadership of the party. “As as a member of National Executive Committee, NEC, National Caucus and Board of Trustees of the party it is beyond the state executive of the party to expel me”, he said, adding: ”I think I should be the one inviting them as a state to come and give account, and not them inviting me to come and give account. It is like the African adage where the leg is now tying the hand. “Come to think of it, I resigned in June, over two months now, so what are you inviting me for; for someone who has resigned his position to come and give account? That is assuming they have a right to invite me.”

  • Nyako urges Muslims to observe Laylatul Qadr at home

    Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako has urged the Muslim community in the state to observe the Ramadan Tahajjud (night) special prayer at home in view of the curfew in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the curfew imposed by the army due to the declaration of a state of emergency on the state in May starts from 11p.m. to 5a.m.

    Muslims are expected to engage in I’tikaf (seclusion in the mosque) for the last nine or 10 nights or full days of Ramadan

    The governor made the call in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Malam Ahmad Sajoh in Yola yesterday.

    The statement urged the people to strictly observe the curfew.

    “Prayers, such as that of the Ramadan Tahajjud, should be done at home instead of going to the Mosque because of the existence of the state of emergency.

    “All lawful guidelines relating to the curfew should be obeyed,’’ the statement reads.

    Nyako thanked the people for their understanding and patience.

    He commended the army and other security agencies for their maturity and professionalism in the enforcement of the state of emergency.

    Similarly, authorities of the 23 Armoured Brigade, Yola, advised Muslims in the state to observe the night prayer at home for security reasons.

    A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the brigade, Lt. Ja’afaru Nuhu, reminded the public that the state was still under a state of emergency and the 11p.m. to 5a.m. curfew still in force.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state is calm and normal as people go about their businesses unhindered.

     

  • Nyako’s supporters move to ANPP

    Nyako’s supporters move to ANPP

    The war of supremacy between Adamawa State Governor, Muritala Nyako, and the PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, may have reached a boiling point. Recent feelers have it that having come to the conclusion that their future is threatened in PDP, many supporters of the governor have been joining ANPP in large numbers, while vowing to frustrate Tukur’s alleged plan to instal his eldest son, Awwal, as Nyako’s successor in 2015.

  • Plot to suspend Nyako, Aliyu tears PDP apart

    Plot to suspend Nyako, Aliyu tears PDP apart

    Governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger) are next in line for sanction by the PDP for alleged anti-party activities, it was gathered last night.

    The plot to suspend them is already tearing the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party apart.

    The PDP has suspended two of its governors- Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), in the last two weeks for alleged insubordination and the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has warned that the party leadership will no longer tolerate indiscipline ahead of the 2015 elections.

    Nyako, Aliyu and Wamakko are believed to have voted for Amaechi during the disputed election of the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

    The party leadership and the presidency wanted the PDP governors to line up behind the official candidate-Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State.

    Amaechi won the election by 19 votes to Jang’s 16 to the embarrassment of the Presidency and the PDP.

    It was gathered that NWC, during the week, received the report of a committee set up to look into some petitions allegedly written against Nyako and Babangida Aliyu by party members in their states.

    The committee, which has as members leading chieftains of the party, according to sources recommended the suspension of the duo.

    However, some NWC members are alleging interference in the work of the committee by the presidency.

    They say they cannot vouch for the impartiality of the panel and are kicking against the recommendation that the governors be suspended.

    Besides, they believe that the party is courting trouble by thinking it can take on too many governors at a time.

    The pro-sanction group, led by Tukur is said to be bent on implementing the recommendations of the committee. Sources said that if Tukur and his supporters have their ways, the two governors’ suspension will be announced anytime from now.

    Tukur is from Adamawa State and he has been having a running battle with Nyako in the struggle for the soul of the PDP in the state.

    A source familiar with the development said:”The situation now is that having realised that the current face-off between the governors and the presidency is affecting the popularity of the party adversely, some NWC members are urging the leadership of the party to exercise refrain in further suspending the governors.

    “But there are those who are determined to implement the recommendation of a committee set up to investigate allegations against Nyako and Aliyu. The two have been recommended for suspension.

    “The argument of those opposing further suspension is that the party’s popularity is dwindling. There is also the argument that suspending Aliyu will pitch the party and the presidency against the entire north considering his position as the chairman of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF).

    “For Nyako, his suspension will be seen as a fall-out of his face-off with Tukur and this will not be good for the party’s image as a democratic organisation. But it appears the chairman and his supporters have a mandate to deliver on the suspension move. They are determined. But those opposed to the move appear to be equally insistent. That accounts for the current stalemate on the matter,” an insider source explained.

    Sources said the presidency, which is not backing down on its desperation to have its loyalist, Jang, recognised as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), is behind the plot to axe Nyako and Aliyu.

    A few weeks ago, the Niger State governor publicly declared that President Jonathan signed a pact to do just one term with northern elders in 2011. His relationship with the presidency and the party has been strained ever since then.