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Tag: Olisa Metuh

  • PDP tasks Buhari on economy, key appointments

    PDP tasks Buhari on economy, key appointments

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari on the appointment of ministers and other critical cabinet appointments.

    Describing the steps taken so far by the President as “cosmetic”, the party noted that certain indices, if not properly corrected, were capable of derailing the smooth running of the administration.

    A statement issued on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, urged Buhari to focus on the promises he made to Nigerians and on policy thrusts that will move the economy forward.

    “As the leader of the most populous black nation in the world, we believe you should not allow your Presidency to be pushed into the gimmicks of playing to the gallery and attempting to use the dramatisation of promissory notes and pledges by foreign interests, false premature claims of victory against insurgency, dramatisation of salary cut and rejection of official cars, all to gain cheap popularity and create an impression that the government is on course when in the actual fact, the new administration has not been able to locate a bearing since its inauguration in May,” the statement said.

    The party urged the President to extricate himself from these agents of propaganda who continue to believe that Nigerians would be swayed by these “cosmetic interventions” instead of real business of governance.

    The PDP said, “While we appreciate the symbolic gesture by Mr. President in cutting his N14 million annual basic salary by 50 percent, it should be noted that Nigerians would not be wavered by the N7million annual donation and rejection of official cars, and forget their expectations for the implementation of his long list of campaign promises for which he was elected into office.

    “The Presidency should know that these orchestration, no matter how populist it may seem, does not in any way address the burning issues of employment, worsening security situation, decline in the economy, avoidable inactivity in government businesses, and continued apparent slide of the naira which has dipped from under N200 to the dollar in May to an all time low of N238 under the APC administration, among others.”

    According to the PDP, Nigerians cannot be overwhelmed by these gestures especially given that they are aware that the salary is a mere drop in the ocean of personal allowances and privileges that come to the President.

    The country, the party added, cannot be deluded by impressions aimed to make government appear to be on course when it has only been a case of all motion, no movement, spiced with unnecessary excuses.

    The statement continued, “Nigerians, going by feelers, have not been thrilled by such orchestrations as other leaders who at one time or the other adopted similar stance did not dither or become laidback, but hit the ground running with governance. What the citizens want is a government that is urgent in living up to its billings and campaign promises.

    “Instead of allowing his government to be taken over by needless showmanship, Mr. President must realize that the people would not judge him by such measures but on the extent to which he addressed critical issues of governance for which he was voted into power.

    “The issue is about the President facing the challenges of governance and assembling his team of experts and capable hands to manage the economy, which has been on the decline since he assumed office.

    “It is also about allowing the different arms of government, especially the National Assembly to work smoothly and encourage conducive democratic environment where the rule of law, personal freedom and security of lives and property are guaranteed.”

  • Buhari’s anti corruption drive unsettles PDP

    Buhari’s anti corruption drive unsettles PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be uncomfortable with the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to recover public funds allegedly stolen by government officials in the last administration.

    Apparently worried by the decision, the PDP has expressed fears that the exercise might become a witch hunt aimed at discrediting and undermining the opposition.

    In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party cautioned the President against politicising the issue of corruption in the country.

    The PDP said, “While we expect the present administration to be serious about the fight against corruption, probe and persecute each and everyone involved in such, irrespective of their party leaning, we restate that these must be done within the ambits of the law and must not be used as a witch-hunt ostensibly to discredit and undermine the opposition. We therefore caution against the current drama of politicising the issue of corruption in the country.”

    The party said no amount of intimidation, blackmail and propaganda by the Presidency would stop it from standing shoulder to shoulder with Nigerians in demanding that the President kick-start his government and commence implementation of his campaign promises.

    The statement described as “lame and diversionary” claims by the Presidency that the financial mess created by the last PDP led administration was still being cleared.

    President Buhari had stated that he met a near empty treasury and huge debts at the time he assumed the Presidency on May 29, a situation he  said, was one of the reasons for the delay in appointing his cabinet ministers.

    But the PDP said the delay is creating loopholes through which some persons claiming closeness to the President have infiltrated executive bodies, arm-twisting and conniving with unscrupulous elements in the bureaucracy to siphon the nation’s resources in the last 30 days.

    The statement added that the PDP would not in any way be cowed by threats and wild allegations by the Presidency into abdicating its responsibility of speaking out as an opposition party where the system is derailing.

    “The PDP and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians were appalled by the response from the Presidency regarding our call for prayers to enable President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration locate its bearing, compose a government and halt the prevailing stagnation with its huge negative impact on the system.

    “Instead of addressing the issues raised, the Presidency descended to insults, abuses and innuendos, a stance which not only bears out the case made by the PDP but also raises questions about the capacity of this administration to shoulder the enormous responsibility of governance.

    “Furthermore, the analogy of the Augean stable is completely baffling to us at this level as it goes to a great length to question the capacity and the sincerity of those around the President.

    “In Greek mythology, Hercules in his ingenuity took the task and efficiently cleared the Augean’ stable in a day for which he demanded a reward of a tenth of fine cattle belonging to the king.

    “Nigerians would not want to believe that in the so-called clearing of the Augean stable, although not delivering in one day, President Buhari wants to play Hercules in his demand, this time, by wanting to run the government alone without the statutory components of the executive as enshrined in the constitution.

    “We ask, is the so-called clearing of mess responsible for his inability after 90 days of winning an election to make up his mind on rudimentary appointments such as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff and his demand for 15 Special Advisers as approved by the PDP controlled Seventh Assembly since June 5, 2015?

    “Perhaps we need to draw President Buhari’s attention to the fact that while he is busy clearing his imaginary mess on the pages of newspapers, some persons claiming closeness to him have in the last 30 days been piling up sleazes that also need his attention in key agencies of government.”

     

  • Saraki: PDP warns Presidency, APC over NASS Clerk

    Saraki: PDP warns Presidency, APC over NASS Clerk

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against any attempt to intimidate or harass the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and the National Assembly Service Commission for performing their statutory functions in Tuesday’s inauguration of the National Assembly.

    The PDP said any attempt by the Presidency and the APC to transfer their frustration to the Clerk would amount to witch hunt and victimization, saying what happened at the legislature was as a result of the ruling party’s ineptitude.

    The opposition was reacting to a statement by presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, indicating that the Clerk to the National Assembly was adequately requested to shift the time for the Assembly’s inauguration, to enable President Muhammadu Buhari address the APC lawmakers but that the Clerk ignored the request.

    No fewer than 51 APC senators were shut out of the process leading to the election of the President of the Senate and the deputy. Only 57 of the 108-member Senate participated in the election where Senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu were elected as President and Deputy President respectively.

    But in a statement issued on Thursday by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said Shehu’s statement amounted to putting undue pressure on civil servants in the National Assembly for performing their legitimate duties, describing it as a serious signal which should not be ignored.

    The statement added that it was unfortunate that the APC displayed its arrogance and disrespect for the dictates of the constitution by attempting to adjust the President’s promulgation order on the National Assembly and seeking to put their interest over and above the supreme law of the land.

    “It is a clear mark of disrespect to the constitution for the President and his party to fix a meeting for him to address their legislators the same time he had directed the Assembly to be inaugurated in line with the constitution.

    “For 16 years that PDP nurtured democracy in this country, there was never a day it attempted to arm-twist or intimidate the bureaucracy of the National Assembly to do its bidding given our recognition and respect for the independence and sanctity of the legislative arm.

    “The National Assembly is the citadel of democracy and represents the collective voice of all Nigerians. The PDP, even in opposition will continue to protect its sanctity and will therefore resist any attempt by the APC to undermine its independence and those of other democratic institutions in our country,” the statement added.

     

    The party noted that the position of the APC and the Presidency clearly negates President Muhammadu Buhari’s well-received and praised assertion in his inaugural speech that he belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody as Nigeria’s President.

    “By the last minute attempt to shift the inauguration time for party interest, the President violates his Presidential oath to defend the constitution and serve the nation without fear or favour and irrespective of party, religion and tribe, as he did not consider the interests of other political parties and the generality of Nigerians,” the party said.

    The PDP further stated that emerging events have continued to justify its position that the APC was ill-equipped and unprepared for the enormous challenge of ruling the country, adding that such became glaring in the way and manner the APC handled a very vital issue like the inauguration of the National Assembly.

     

  • APC’s manifesto unrealistic – PDP

    APC’s manifesto unrealistic – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as unrealistic, saying it is meant to deceive and misdirect the electorates.

    According to the ruling party, the opposition’s promise to pay N5, 000 monthly stipend each to 25 million poor Nigerians would amount to N125 billion monthly and N1.5 trillion every year.

    At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said this cannot be achieved, given the poor state of the nation’s economy and dwindling oil revenue.

    “What is baffling is that the APC knows fully well that this is not only unrealistic but also impracticable in a nation with an estimated budget of N4.69 trillion comprising recurrent and capital expenditures yet they continue to dish it out to unsuspecting citizens in a clear bid to mislead.

    “Since its formation about two years ago, the APC has introduced and sustained an unfortunate political streak sustained majorly by lies, character assassination, false alarm, wild allegations, and lately visual simulation, all in the desperation to deceive and misdirect the judgment of the electorates.

    “We have with us an opposition party, which has been deploying all manner of schemes to derail and compromise the electoral process. Today, if the APC is not instigating violence or threatening democracy and our very existence as a nation, the party is busy procuring criminal hi-tech to hack into INEC’s data-base or clone the Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

    “The next day, the same party would connive with some unscrupulous electoral officers to deny non-indigenes in some select states their PVCs while busy making bogus promises to the electorates,” Metuh said.

    The PDP also faulted what it described as the opposition’s promise to create 740, 000 direct jobs in each of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory within one year, with one million jobs for Igbo youths within the same period.

    Continuing, Metuh said: “The APC has also promised to provide free education, daily free meals for millions of Nigerian school children, free tertiary education, free health care and free houses to Nigerians. The opposition knows too well that this is unrealistic yet they prefer to brandish falsehood.

    “The APC should explain to Nigerians how they would fulfill their promises with the prevailing 40 per cent drop in national income and dwindling oil price in the international market. “

     

  • Jonathan has delivered on agriculture – PDP

    Jonathan has delivered on agriculture – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the unique intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan in agriculture has placed Nigeria on the sure path to food sufficiency, stressing that the administration has delivered in this critical sector.

    A statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said President Jonathan has strategically re-engineered this sector that has direct impact on the welfare of the citizens in line with the manifesto of the PDP and its avowed commitment to uplifting the living standard of Nigerians.

    The statement said: “In the last four years, the Jonathan administration repositioned agriculture from the traditional subsistence occupation to an investment-driven, wealth-creating sector that guarantees food security in the country.

    “Under President Jonathan, our country has through strategic partnership with the private sector, expanded food production by an additional 21 million metric tons between 2011 and 2014, a record exceeding the nation’s set target of 20 million metric tons set for 2015.

    “Between 2013 and July 2014, the nation’s food import bill declined by $5.3 billion and still falling, even with our increasing population. Within the same period, additional 9 million metric tons of food has been produced, while over 2.7 million farm jobs have been created. With all these, Nigeria now ranks as one of the biggest food producers in Africa.

    “Under President Jonathan, our country has met its Millennium Development Goal on agriculture and food production two years ahead of 2015 target set by the United Nations, thereby earning a special award by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

    “This feat was achieved by meticulous implementation of deliberate policies that empowered millions of our farmers and strategic investors with private sector investment rising to about $5.6billion.

    “For instance, encouraged by the Federal Government, the Dangote Group is investing $1billion in commercial rice production and processing, expected to raise Nigeria’s export capacity in the next five years.

    “Other entrepreneurs, including foreign firms are also investing in food production and processing following the favourable business environment provided by the government.

    “Under the present administration, Nigerian farmers enjoy bumper harvest as a result of benefits derived from special intervention initiatives such as the Nigerian Seed Venture Capital Fund as well as the deregulation of fertilizer distribution which has guaranteed direct access to fertilizers and other farm inputs by farmers.”

  • PDP defends ‘semi-literate’ tag on Buhari

    PDP defends ‘semi-literate’ tag on Buhari

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has defended its “semi-literate jackboot” tag on the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, saying the tagging was complimentary.

    A statement issued by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said with the description, the ruling party remained on course in its commitment to issue-based campaign.

    The statement said: “In the PDP, we occupy the moral high ground as far as our commitment to issues-based campaign is concerned. Our word remains our bond. Since, we made that commitment, we have focused on issues.

    “We have also taken up the responsibility of drawing the attention of Nigerians to the obvious cases of incompetence and failings of the APC and those who aspire to the leadership of our nation through that platform.

    “There has never been any instance that we have maliciously attacked the characters of those on the presidential ticket of the APC, rather, we have been alive to our responsibility of offering public service so that Nigerians will not be deceived.

    “The particular statement by Prof. Oladipo, referred to by the APC, which we even consider as complimentary, does not in any way compare with the many instances of vicious, malicious and provocative attacks on the person and office of our presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, after we made the commitment to engage in a decent campaign.

    “It is on record that a few days after the commitment alluded to by the APC, Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso, attacked the person of President Jonathan, describing him as an ‘incompetent commander-in-chief.’ No personal attack could be more vicious and unconscionable.

    “Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has consistently prosecuted a hate campaign against President Jonathan, describing him as ‘an enemy of Rivers people.’ I ask the APC and my friend, Lai Mohammed, if this destructive campaign sounds like a love song to him?

    “Also, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, at the church event to mark the 60th birthday of APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni, in Ifaki-Ekiti, attacked the person of President Jonathan describing him as ‘a misfit’ for the presidency of the nation.

    “Even my friend Lai Mohammed is not blameless. For him to declare to the world that President Jonathan was responsible for the killings of Nigerians by Boko Haram insurgents, when he knows those whose utterances and clandestine activities fuel the insurgency, smacks of political mischief. “

  • Olisa Metuh warned against unguided utterances

    Olisa Metuh warned against unguided utterances

    The Salvage Group, a professional arm of All Progressives Congress  (APC) warns Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to guide his utterances in his approach to issues of other political parties, more especially APC.

    The Group according to Peter Ajayi the National Coordinator, stated that, All Progressives Party is seen as the most democratic party in Nigeria as evidently showed in the recently conducted governorship and presidential primary elections adjudged to be the most peaceful, transparent and rancour free in the history of Nigeria unlike the ones conducted by the ruling party (PDP) which was a show of shame and another opportunity to further show to Nigerians the stuff the party is made of by spreading its dirty linen to the outside world.

    The Group condemned the ways and manners by which Olisa Metuh described APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and party’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. Ajayi maintained that Metuh is bereaved of ideas and lack the essential knowledge of the process of democratically electing or selecting candidates. Olisa Metuh is a lower human being who does not have what it takes to occupy such a sensitive office,” he added.

  • PDP seeks investigation into NASS fracas

    PDP seeks investigation into NASS fracas

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for full investigation into Thursday’s invasion of the National Assembly by armed policemen and other security operatives.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and other lawmakers were tear gassed by the police, even as a number of the legislators had to scale the fence to gain access to the parliament building.

    Many are of the opinion that the move was targeted at Tambuwal, allegedly by the Presidency and the ruling PDP.

    However, the PDP, in a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, called on the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to institute full enquiry to unravel the circumstances and facts surrounding the incident.

    The party gave Abba 72 hours to put the facts on the table.

    The statement said: “The sanctity of the National Assembly as an arm of government and citadel of democracy must be upheld at all times. The matter should not be shrouded in controversy, sinister plots and mundane accusations.

    “Whilst we acknowledge that due to the security challenges in the country, the security agencies are within their constitutional powers to search individuals and ensure that only responsible and duly accredited persons gain entrance into the National Assembly complex, we wish to state in strongest possible terms that the PDP is fully with the President in not condoning any act that might indicate that the police went beyond their bounds in the incident.

    “The PDP is known for its unwavering stand in upholding the tenets of democracy. Our stand for justice, fairness, and equity at all times remains undiluted. In the same vein, President Goodluck Jonathan has been very humble and forthright in upholding these principles and rights of citizens. He has instituted free, fair and credible elections and remains unwavering that his ambition does not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

    “We therefore believe that there is no need to shroud the development in controversy. In this regard, we call for a full investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident within the next 72 hours. Nigerians deserve to know the truth at all times.”

     

  • PDP ‘won’t appeal’ judgment on Adamawa

    PDP ‘won’t appeal’ judgment on Adamawa

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said the party would not appeal Wednesday’s judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that sacked the erstwhile Acting Governor of the state, Umar Fintiri and installed the erstwhile Deputy Governor, Bala Igilari as governor.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated this while reacting to the verdict of the court.

    According to him, the PDP was not joined in the court case and so there is no basis for the party to appeal the judgment.

    Metuh said: “The party has looked at the judgment on Adamawa and we resolved as follows:

    “The PDP is a law-abiding party and we have therefore advised our members to obey accordingly. As is being done in every legal matter, there is right of appeal.

    “But in the meantime the PDP has enjoined our party members to obey the decision of the court.

    “Secondly, the paramount thing for us is peace in Adamawa. And we enjoin the Executive Governor of Adamawa State that was sworn in today to pursue peace and progress of Adamawa State.

    “The state has had its own fair share of political turmoil, the state has had its own fair share of challenges. We believe that the citizens of the state deserve peace and unity.

    “We urge our state chairman to ensure that PDP remains united as one body in Adamawa. And as a PDP member we can only say to the former Deputy Governor to continue to pursue the party’s programmes for the benefit of the people.”

     

     

  • PDP’s ingenious presidential primary

    PDP’s ingenious presidential primary

    NIGERIANS must not underestimate the contributions of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to their country’s political development, even if a part of those contributions ends up destroying democratic principles. Last week, the party’s impulsive publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, was quoted by a newspaper as saying that with the massive adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’ sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election, the party was no longer interested in conducting a presidential primary. Instead, he said joyfully, the party would only affirm the candidacy of the president at the appropriate time.

    But I suspect the PDP is merely restraining itself not to go the whole hog. They have indicated there would be no presidential primary. Supposing they had not been so condescending, and had equally indicated that consequent upon the widespread TAN rallies that have so far garnered more than 10 million signatures for the president there was no need for a presidential election? It would of course be unconstitutional; but since when did the party begin to bother itself with constitutional restraints? If the party understands that the mood of the country today is not amenable to a countrywide adoption of President Jonathan as everybody’s sole candidate, do not put it past them that on a fortuitous tomorrow, and given their vow to keep Aso Villa in thrall for 50 years, they could still perfect the manoeuvre of no elections for sole candidates.

    And with the widespread subversion of the country’s principal elites through various artifices such as national conference and all, it is not impossible that one day, the PDP, claiming its right as a party, would perfect the art of winning elections without balloting, to the general approbation and mirth of the country.